Crowley adds containers

Crowley adds containers    Crowley Maritime Corp.’s liner services group will add 500 new containers to its equipment fleet to better serve the growing needs of shippers in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and Central America.
   Once received, the company’s equipment fleet will include more than 46,000 pieces. This recent acquisition represents growth of nearly 4 percent in the company’s fleet of 45-foot containers and nearly 5 percent of the 40-foot high-cube container fleet.
   The purchase comprises 250 45-foot containers and 250 40-foot high-cube boxes. While some of the 40-foot containers have been received and are in service, the 45-foot dry containers are slated for construction by the end of April. As the containers are received, they are being dispersed throughout Crowley’s liner service based on customer needs.
   “The 45-foot containers are the container of choice for the apparel manufacturers, as it offers customers optimum loadability with the width allowing for larger pallets and cartons to be accommodated,' said John Hourihan, Crowley's senior vice president and general manager of Latin America services, in a statement.
   Since 2003, Crowley has invested close to $240 million to modernize its equipment fleet by nearly 24,000 units.