Sea Star moves up date for new Puerto Rico barge service

The following is the text of a news release from Sea Star Line:

(JACKSONVILLE, Fla.) — Last week, Sea Star Line announced a new weekly barge service from Jacksonville to Puerto Rico intended to commence on Thursday, Jan. 29. However, based on market demand, Sea Star has now restructured assets and plans to move the start of the new service to this Thursday, Jan. 22.

Sea Star is in the process of on-hiring 2,300 pieces of new equipment over the next 30 days that will not only support the new barge service but ensure there is adequate equipment to support customers utilizing their twice-weekly ship service from Jacksonville to Puerto Rico. The equipment being on-hired includes: 800 40-foot dry; 500 45-foot dry; 350 40-foot reefers; 100 45-foot reefers; 185 gensets (50 percent being sent to Puerto Rico); and 400 chassis, all being sent to Puerto Rico.

In addition, Sea Star will have a 21 percent increase in refrigerated container capacity with 45 weekly slots on the barge and, through modifications to the current vessels, an additional 38 weekly slots for total refrigerated capacity of 467 slots per week. Sea Star has also expanded their network of truckers in the United States by 100 new drivers since the beginning of 2015.

Sea Star Line remains committed to Puerto Rico and the safe and timely transport of goods for the people of the island.

By Professional Mariner Staff