Antillean Marine’s Babun: Port Everglades move difficult decision

Antillean MarineÆs Babun: Port Everglades move difficult decision Antillean Marine president Sara C. Babun, whose family has been operating a shipping business on the Miami River since 1963, said the decision to move its Caribbean trade services to Port Everglades was difficult, but in the end the new location offered too many features and opportunities to resist.

Antillean Marine President Sara Babun and Port Everglades Director Phillip Allen stand in front of the Michael J during a ceremony recognizing the vessel's inaugural call at Port Everglades.

   Antillean Marine confirmed Monday that it has decided to operate its services to the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Panama from Port Everglades..
   'This was a difficult decision for our company and me personally,' Babun said. 'We remain committed to continue working the river, as well as improving its environmental conditions where our company has its roots. Nevertheless, the time has come when we need the space for growth, and Port Everglades provides an attractive opportunity as a result of its progressive Master/Vision Plan, landside connections with rail, and easy highway access.'
   She said that by using Port Everglades, Antillean will also be able to handle higher volumes and have more transshipment opportunities with other carriers.
   Antillean is operating from Port Everglades Terminals. The port said in a statement Monday that Antillean will increase the port's container volumes by 60,000 TEUs a year.
   Port Everglades Director Phillip C. Allen, whose port handled just under 950,000 TEUs of containerized cargo in the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, said Antillean would go 'a long way to helping us reach our goal of 1 million TEUs.'
   The first vessel that sailed from the port was the Michael J, a 600-TEU vessel that will make multiple sailings from Port Everglades to facilitate the existing services to Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Panama.