(PORT EVERGLADES, Fla.) — Crowley Liner Services recently became one of the first private companies in the nation to be certified and validated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as part of its new marine port terminal operator (MPTO) designation, known as the AQUA Lane program. Following on-site inspections and vetting of its Port Everglades terminal, Crowley was found fully compliant with all program requirements and was even recognized for having implemented additional best practices, including enhanced due diligence security standards. Port Everglades itself was one of only four ports nationwide to test the roll out of the MPTO program.
AQUA Lane program certification gives Crowley a “fast lane” for cargo operations. This means that Crowley can apply for advanced qualified unlading approval (AQUA) to allow an incoming vessel and its cargo to be pre-cleared by CBP 12 hours prior to the ship’s estimated arrival, instead of having to wait for a CBP officer to board and clear the ship. The company can now begin cargo discharge and load back upon docking in Port Everglades, reducing wait times by terminal personnel between vessel docking and operations commencement. It also increases the speed of port turn times and expedites cargo movement.
As part of this certification, Crowley’s Port Everglades terminal now has its own Custom-Trade Partnership against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program certificate and joins other company divisions — Crowley Latin America Services, Crowley Logistics and Customized Brokers — as fully certified and validated C-TPAT program members.
Crowley also participates in other customs industry programs, such as the Super Carrier Initiative Agreement (SCIA) program, which deters and protects cargo and vessels from contraband, narcotics and stowaways and supports the Business Anti-Smuggling Coalition program (BASC) in its areas of operation. BASC is a sister program for foreign shippers and consignees that do not have headquarters in the U.S.
For more information, visit www.crowley.com.
