TOTE Maritime Blount Island: The LNG-Powered Pulse of the Caribbean

Located at 5250 William Mills Street, the TOTE Maritime Blount Island Terminal serves as the primary Florida bridge to Puerto Rico and an environmental leader on the East Coast with its LNG-powered Marlin Class ships.

Operating under FIRMS Code N762, TOTE’s twice-weekly service is the lifeblood of the Caribbean economy. However, the stakes are high: rigid Tuesday/Friday sailings and strict vehicle standards mean a single error can stall your load. 

Navigating this hub requires absolute compliance with the JAXPORT security gauntlet and evolving I-295 infrastructure.

TOTE Maritime Administrative and Operational Parameters

Mastering FIRMS Code N762 requires perfect paperwork. This code is the digital anchor for all customs and bonded cargo, meaning even a small error can halt your shipment. The most critical factor is the Sailing Day Cut-off; if you miss it, your load stays behind.

Unlike standard yards, TOTE’s gates open early, at 06:00 or 07:00, on Tuesday and Friday sailing days to handle the final rush. The rules for shipping personal vehicles (POV) are even tougher: if you aren't checked in by 12:00 PM on the Thursday before a Tuesday sailing, you lose your spot on the ship.

TOTE Maritime Approach & The Gate: The Dave Rawls Security Checkpoint

Reaching the TOTE gate requires clearing the mandatory JAXPORT Security Checkpoint located on Dave Rawls Blvd. This security plaza is the single point of entry for the entire island; you cannot reach the terminal without passing this screen first.

• The TWIC Escort Protocol: Security is governed by the JAXPORT Access Control Center. While a TWIC card is mandatory for unescorted access, JAXPORT offers a rare Courtesy Escort Service at no charge at the Dave Rawls plaza. Drivers must arrive at least 30 minutes before terminal closing to utilize this guard-escorted entry.
• The Dave Rawls Blvd Expansion: The primary entrance is a known bottleneck. Expect construction through 2025 as the port adds travel lanes and a new west-side security plaza to alleviate the morning "gate rush."
• Truck Lane Restrictions: Florida state law strictly forbids commercial trucks from the left-most lane on the six-lane I-295 approach. Violating this to bypass congestion results in immediate FDOT citations.

Inside the TOTE Maritime: LNG Bunkering and SACP 3.0

Once past the Dave Rawls security plaza, you enter a high-tech environment optimized for TOTE's green-energy Marlin Class vessels.

• World-First LNG Technology: TOTE’s vessels, the Isla Bella and Perla del Caribe, are fueled by LNG. This virtually eliminates SOx emissions but requires specialized bunkering zones. Drivers must adhere to strict safety briefings and directional arrows to avoid active LNG fueling areas.
• The SACP 3.0 "Gray Pool": TOTE participates in the South Atlantic Chassis Pool (SACP 3.0). For truckers, this means a flexible "gray pool" model where you can use any DCLI or contributed chassis for a move. Ensure your carrier is registered with the UIIA and has a signed CCM contract before arriving.
• 47-Foot Deep Water: Thanks to the recent JAXPORT deepening project, TOTE’s berths can now accommodate two post-Panamax ships simultaneously, meaning yard activity has effectively doubled.

TOTE Driver Survival Guide: EV Batteries & Staging

Shipping to Puerto Rico involves unique maritime safety standards that differ from standard domestic drayage.

• The EV "Goldilocks" Rule: If you are dropping off an Electric Vehicle (EV), the battery must be between 30% and 50% charge. No more, no less. If the charge isn't visible on the dashboard, the terminal will refuse the drop.
• Overnight Staging Solutions: Overnight parking at the gate is strictly prohibited. Drivers must utilize secure yards like TRUX Parking or Performance Truck Parking on Imeson Park Blvd (4.6 miles away). Avoid the nearby retail lots, as JAXPORT police are active in enforcing "no-loitering" zones.
• Power Line Hazards: Be aware of the JEA construction project beginning in 2025 to raise power lines over the St. Johns River. This will involve heavy equipment detours on Monument Road that can disrupt the usual path to Blount Island.

Beat the Puerto Rico Cut-off: Dispatch Your TOTE Runs

Mastering the TOTE Blount Island Terminal (N762) requires a partner who understands the "Hacienda Tax" and "EEI/ITN" documentation headaches of Caribbean trade. If your dispatcher fails to verify the 1/4 tank fuel rule or misses the Thursday vehicle cutoff, your cargo stays on the dock while the ship sails.

Our intermodal dispatchers dominate the Jacksonville-to-San Juan corridor every single day. We bypass the chaos by managing your Hacienda tax clearances, verifying EV battery percentages, and routing your fleet through the Heckscher Drive bypass to avoid I-295 gridlock. You focus on the highway; we’ll annihilate the TOTE logistics headaches.