Crowley Maritime Corporation has announced that it is launching a new, weekly, fixed-day container shipping service between Jacksonville and Costa Rica.

“We are pleased to bring this new service to the market beginning today from Jacksonville,” said Steve Collar, Crowley senior vice president and general manager, international liner services. “We are confident this service enhancement will add a new dimension to our portfolio of Latin America services and bring increased efficiency and savings to our customers."

The two containerships in the service, which will call at the Jacksonville Port Authority’s Talleyrand Terminal, will make port calls in Jacksonville on Thursdays, Port Everglades, Fla., on Fridays, and arrive in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, on Wednesdays.

Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 124-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company. The company provides marine solutions, energy and logistics services in domestic and international markets through six operating lines of business: Puerto Rico Liner Services, International Liner Services, Logistics Services, Petroleum Services, Alaska Petroleum Distribution and Marine Services, and Technical Services.

“With our warehousing and cross-dock operations in Jacksonville, we are well situated to funnel cargo originating outside Florida, to Costa Rica, saving customers time and reducing their overall landed costs,” said Frank Larkin, Crowley senior vice president and general manager-logistics. “We can swing loads from trailers to ocean containers here, reducing equipment re-positioning expenses, and save the additional inland transportation costs that come with the traditional movement of cargo to South Florida.”

Northbound Crowley will sail from Costa Rica on Fridays, which is an attractive end-of-the-work-week sailing for perishables shippers. “Additionally, we believe we can achieve further velocity and continuity of customers’ supply chains by providing expert customs clearance for perishables and other cargoes being imported through Jacksonville,” said Larkin.

Source: seatrade-maritime.com