Port Canaveral receives first direct shipment of autos from Asia

The roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessel Höegh Sydney delivered over 800 automobiles from Asia to the South Florida port on Thursday.    The Höegh Autoliners roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessel Höegh Sydney made her inaugural visit to Port Canaveral on Thursday.
   The vessel made Port Canaveral its first U.S. port call on a loop that originated in East Asia, the port said. The vessel represents the fourth vehicle carrier to call Port Canaveral and the first auto imports to arrive direct from Asia. More than 800 cars arrived at Port Canaveral and were discharged within six hours of the vessel’s arrival, the port said. 
   “The first vehicle to roll off Höegh Sydney signifies Port Canaveral’s entrance into the direct from Asia import market. The growing Central Florida region is driving increased ro-ro business for our port,” said Port CEO Captain John Murray. “We are the ideal gateway to that high demand, high consuming market and proud of our partners at AutoPort Canaveral, LLC as they expand operations here at the port.” 
   Port Canaveral’s partnership with ro-ro terminal operator, AutoPort Canaveral, LLC has expanded opportunities for the Central Florida region, the port said. The new 16 acre auto-terminal exports heavy equipment and trucks used in forestry, mining and agriculture to Central America and the Middle East, while new vehicles are imported from Mexico and Asia.