Trailer Bridge expanding with Dominican service

Trailer Bridge expanding with Dominican service Trailer Bridge Inc., the container barge carrier that offers a service between the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico, said it will begin service to the Dominican Republic later this year.
   The company said it will deploy the same 53-foot containers in the Dominican Republic trade as it uses in Puerto Rico.
   Trailer Bridge will put a fifth barge into service which is capable of carrying 281 of the 53-foot containers, representing a 20.5 percent increase in total capacity to all markets.
   Trailer Bridge also said it will begin taking delivery of 1,000 new 53-foot owned containers and 850 new 53-foot owned chassis in May.
   “After much analysis, we have developed a plan that is an exciting and logical next step for our superior 53-foot transportation system. This is a metered expansion relative to the large markets we serve, but it brings with it multiple benefits for shippers, including more frequency, more lanes and more inside cube,' said John D. McCown, Trailer Bridge chairman and chief executive officer. 'Continued investment in innovative hard assets is a winning strategy in the Jones Act liner sector, and we are looking forward to extending the benefits of our integrated 53-foot transportation system to current and potential new customers.'
   The new service will connect the ports of Jacksonville, Fla. and San Juan, Puerto Rico, with Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.
   The company noted that its decision to serve the Dominican Republic comes on the heels of a March 1 announcement by the White House that the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement has been implemented with respect to the Dominican Republic, which is expected to enhance trade with the United States.