Shipping Service: Port Manatee
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World Direct Shipping to Double Port Manatee Service
World Direct Shipping (WDS) is beefing up its trans-Gulf service between Port Manatee and the Mexican state of Veracruz.
Specifically, the Palmetto, Fla.-based ocean carrier plans to add weekly sailing linking the west Florida port and the Port of Tuxpan. That would augment the service it has operated weekly between Port Manatee and Coatzacoalcos in southern Veracruz since November 2014. The first sailing from Tuxpan is scheduled for January 12.
The announcement comes as Port Manatee is experiencing record container traffic flows. All three ports are AAPA Corporate members.
Located in northcentral Veracruz state just 185 miles/298 kilometers from Mexico City, Tuxpan is also proximate to Mexican paper processing centers, creating opportunities for more paper exports from Port Manatee. Potential import cargos are Mexican fruits, vegetables and juices.
WDS will shift the 430-foot/131-meter long M/V Queen B to the Tuxpan service from Coatzacoalcos service and assign another container ship, the 413-foot/126-meter Pafilia, to the Coatzacoalcos route. The schedule calls for Friday departures from Tuxpan and Monday arrivals at Port Manatee. The Coatzacoalcos schedule is unchanged – Saturday departures, Tuesday arrivals at Port Manatee.
"We couldn’t be happier with how the initial service has thrived, with our 2 1/2-day transit time offering the fastest short-sea connection between Mexico and the U.S. Southeast, Northeast and Midwest for refrigerated produce and other cargos," said WDS director Carlos Diaz. "The addition of the Tuxpan service with the introduction of a second vessel perfectly complements the Coatzacoalcos sailings, providing shippers of produce and other customers with enhanced flexibility."
In April, WDS extended it agreement with Port Manatee through 2019, plus options for two more years. It has lengthened its pact with Federal Marine Terminals, which will work both vessels at Port Manatee.
World Direct Shipping (WDS) is beefing up its trans-Gulf service between Port Manatee and the Mexican state of Veracruz.
Specifically, the Palmetto, Fla.-based ocean carrier plans to add weekly sailing linking the west Florida port and the Port of Tuxpan. That would augment the service it has operated weekly between Port Manatee and Coatzacoalcos in southern Veracruz since November 2014. The first sailing from Tuxpan is scheduled for January 12.
The announcement comes as Port Manatee is experiencing record container traffic flows. All three ports are AAPA Corporate members.
Located in northcentral Veracruz state just 185 miles/298 kilometers from Mexico City, Tuxpan is also proximate to Mexican paper processing centers, creating opportunities for more paper exports from Port Manatee. Potential import cargos are Mexican fruits, vegetables and juices.
WDS will shift the 430-foot/131-meter long M/V Queen B to the Tuxpan service from Coatzacoalcos service and assign another container ship, the 413-foot/126-meter Pafilia, to the Coatzacoalcos route. The schedule calls for Friday departures from Tuxpan and Monday arrivals at Port Manatee. The Coatzacoalcos schedule is unchanged – Saturday departures, Tuesday arrivals at Port Manatee.
"We couldn’t be happier with how the initial service has thrived, with our 2 1/2-day transit time offering the fastest short-sea connection between Mexico and the U.S. Southeast, Northeast and Midwest for refrigerated produce and other cargos," said WDS director Carlos Diaz. "The addition of the Tuxpan service with the introduction of a second vessel perfectly complements the Coatzacoalcos sailings, providing shippers of produce and other customers with enhanced flexibility."
In April, WDS extended it agreement with Port Manatee through 2019, plus options for two more years. It has lengthened its pact with Federal Marine Terminals, which will work both vessels at Port Manatee.
"It is truly a breath of fresh air in today’s ocean carrier industry environment to see the success of World Direct Shipping," said Carlos Buqueras, Port Manatee’s executive director, "and we look forward to continuing to serve this dynamic company on this expanded basis for many years to come."
Offloading cargo at Port Manatee from World Direct Shipping’s M/V Queen B. The 657-TEU capacity container ship is equipped 128 reefer plugs.
Photo/Port Manatee
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