Crowley has announced a new ocean shipping route connecting the U.S. Northeast with Central America, marking its first direct service between the two regions. The new route is expected to benefit the trade of time-sensitive products, particularly fresh produce, by enabling faster delivery and reducing supply chain delays.
Using Crowley's new LNG-powered Avance Class vessels, the service will offer a five-day transit between the Port of Philadelphia's Gloucester Marine Terminal and ports in Guatemala and Honduras. The region also includes connections to El Salvador and Nicaragua. The first voyage is scheduled to depart from Central America on July 3, with operations handled at Gloucester City, New Jersey, by Gloucester Terminals LLC, a Holt Logistics Corp. affiliate.
The service is designed to support the import and export of fresh produce, among other perishable goods, by offering shortened transit times. According to Crowley, the reduced travel time can help preserve shelf life and maintain the quality of sensitive agricultural products. The company noted strong initial demand for the service.
The new route builds on Crowley's longstanding presence in the Northeast Atlantic, where it has provided container service to Puerto Rico, the Eastern Caribbean, and the Virgin Islands for over 70 years. The addition of this Central American link expands trade access for growers and suppliers aiming to reach markets more efficiently, especially for fresh produce exports destined for the U.S. East Coast.
For more information:
David DeCamp
Crowley
Tel: +1 904 727 4263
www.crowley.com