Peter T. Leach, Senior Editor | Jun 29, 2012 9:57AM EDT
Mediterranean Shipping Co. revamped its weekly service between the U.S. and Central America to include Jacksonville’s Talleyrand Marine Terminal in the rotation with the ports of Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala, and Puerto Cortez, Honduras.
The new port rotation is as follows: Jacksonville; Savannah; Freeport, Bahamas; Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala; Puerto Cortez, Honduras; Freeport, Bahamas; and back to Jacksonville. The service connects with MSC’s global services via its transshipment hub in Freeport.
The Jacksonville Port Authority said the revised route offers improved transit times for Florida shippers that want to reach these growing markets, which are part of the Central America Free Trade Agreement with the U.S.
Among the principal commodities these nations trade with the U.S. are agricultural products such as bananas, vegetables, coffee and shrimp, and textiles, garments and minerals. Guatemala and Honduras are also significant export markets for U.S. products such as agricultural machinery, chemicals, building materials and general consumer merchandise.
“The change underscores the shift that’s taking place as shippers and cargo owners recognize the efficiencies that Jaxport offers and respond to the opportunities they find here,” Jaxport CEO Paul Anderson said.
Contact Peter T. Leach at pleach@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @petertleach.
