TOTE establishes joint venture with INTERSHIP

TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico formed a partnership with INTERSHIP to establish a terminal operating company called Puerto Rico Terminals, which will combine $38 million worth of existing assets at the Puerto Nuevo terminals near San Juan.    TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico established a partnership with International Shipping Agency, Inc. (INTERSHIP) to form a terminal operating company called Puerto Rico Terminals (PRT), TOTE said.
   Both companies operated on adjacent properties at the Puerto Nuevo terminals east of San Juan.
   The 122-acre PRT property includes eight newly renovated cranes, as well as eight inbound/outbound lanes and both roll-on/roll-off and lift-on/lift-off handling.
   The joint venture will combine $38 million worth of existing assets at the Puerto Nuevo terminals. PRT will move over 250,000 containers and automobiles annually in and out of Puerto Rico.
   TOTE President and CEO Anthony Chiarello said the joint venture is expected to result in improved operations, safety, productivity and significant growth.
   PRT customers will see improved vessel turn times, enhanced safety and security features, and other technology-based service upgrades, Chiarello said.
   The joint venture has contracted with SSA Marine to manage stevedoring and terminal operations.
   INTERSHIP’s website says it is an affiliate of Méndez & Company, a major distributor of food and spirits for brands including Heineken, Miller, Johnnie Walker Black, Grey Goose, Stolichnaya, Veuve Clicqout, and over 150 varieties of wine from all over the world. It also distributes products coming from the United States from firms such as General Mills, Beech Nut, Tabasco, Sargento Cheese, Bumble Bee and others.
   INTERSHIP said it was formed in 1961 because of “the need for an integrated state-of-the-art container handling facility for San Juan’s busy import and export trade.”
   TOTE said nine companies make use of the facility but said it was unable to disclose who they were other than to says it included domestic and international worldwide carriers.
   The INTERSHIP website says customers include or have included APL, Bacardí, CCNI, China Shipping Line, CMA-CGM, CSAV, Evergreen, Great American Lines, Hugo Stinnes Schiffahrt, “K” Line America, National Shipping of America, Mitsui – O.S.K. Bulk Shipping, NYK Line, Seatrade, Trailer Bridge, Inc., ZIM, Wallenius Wilhemsen and X-PRESS Container Line.