Sea Star highlights Philadelphia port benefits

Sea Star highlights Philadelphia port benefits    Sea Star Line said its nearly year-old weekly service to Puerto Rico from the Port of Philadelphia's Tioga Marine Terminal has 'exceeded' its expectations.
   After less than 10 months of operation, Sea Star's fleet of three vessels has moved about 10,000 loads through the port, with 'no signs of slowing.'
   Steve Hastings, Sea Star's president, said the company has 'committed significant resources to continue to grow in and with the Port of Philadelphia.'
   The carrier recently invested more than $7 million on maintenance for El Faro, one of the vessels serving the port. This maintenance equips the cargo ship to service the port for the next several years uninterrupted.
   With Sea Star Line's arrival last April, it brought Philadelphia's first roll-on/roll-off capabilities. That, combined with its rotation of two cargo ships, has shortened the previous transit time from seven days to Puerto Rico by barge, to only three and a half days.
   'Between providing the port's only roll-on/roll-off capabilities, to offering an unmatched speed to market, we see only continued growth and success,' Hastings said. 'It's not a stretch to say that Philadelphia could quickly be established as the Northeast hub for trade lines to Puerto Rico.'
   The two Sea Star Line vessels in rotation at the Port of Philadelphia were built at the now defunct Sun Shipyard in Chester, Pa. The vessels transport automobiles, heavy equipment, domestic trailers and tankers, and standard ocean containers. Sea Star has also equipped its vessels to accommodate the newest 53-foot trailers.