New SeaLand service to connect Mexico with Philadelphia

The Maersk intra-Americas affiliate’s “Atlantico” service from Altamira and Veracruz will offer rapid transit time to shippers of produce and other foodstuffs, according to a statement from SeaLand.    SeaLand will start a new weekly service next month connecting the Port of Philadelphia with the Mexican ports of Veracruz and Altamira.
   The Maersk affiliate said two ships with about 1,300 TEU capacity will be used in the “Atlantico” service and offer fixed day service with a port rotation of Veracruz, Altamira, Philadelphia, and back to Veracruz.
   The first sailing will be from Veracruz on January 26 and transit time is six days from Altamira and eight days from Veracruz.
SeaLand said the service “offers an alternative transportation option for trade between the regions, which is characterized by the use of ground transportation on 95 percent of its volumes.
   It said the service is “especially geared for producers and exporters of perishable goods to the U.S. and provides the economies of scale, security and reliability of an ocean service combined with an expedited transit, ideal for moving goods such as avocados, lemons, tomatoes and commercial cargo.”
   “Customers avoid transloading cargo, congestion at the border and limited truck power between countries,” commented Jorge Monzalvo, SeaLand Mexico commercial manager.
   SeaLand said rail access from Philadelphia “will allow further connectivity to all major cities in the U.S. and Canada with a 4-day transit time to Chicago and Cleveland, 5 days to Columbus and Montreal and 6 days to Toronto.”