SeaLand Adds the Port of Hueneme, “the Farmers’ Port,” to WCCA service

September 28, 2016, Port Hueneme – SeaLand, the Intra-Americas regional ocean carrier of the Maersk Group and the Port of Hueneme today introduced SeaLand’s new port call on its West Coast Central America (WCCA) Service. This direct service started on September 13, 2016 offering weekly service between Southern California, Mexico, Central America, and the West Coast of South America, a total of 10 port calls throughout the region. The Port of Hueneme, the port that farmers built, north of Los Angeles, provides additional coverage of agricultural, automotive and consumer epicenters in the U.S. Southwest and offers shippers an alternative gateway in Southern California.

The WCCA service port calls includes: The Port of Hueneme, Los Angeles, Ensenada, Lazaro Cardenas, Puerto Quetzal, Acajutla, Corinto, Balboa, Guayaquil and Paita. A relay service is also offered from Chile and Callao in Peru.

The Port of Hueneme, which specializes in refrigerated cargo, is well suited to the volume of fresh fruit bound for the U.S. Southwest from Latin America. Fruit importers will achieve an efficient infrastructure including faster inspections and nearby cold storage facilities that specialize in fruit shipments. The Port of Hueneme is also one hour from the Los Angeles metro area, the largest urban center on the West Coast with a population of 12,900,000, offering shippers close proximity to this important market.

CEO & Port Director Kristin Decas welcomes dignitaries and guests at the SeaLand Welcoming Event, accompanied by Oxnard Harbor District Vice President Arlene Fraser, Commissioner Jess Herrera, and Commissioner Mary Anne Rooney.

Dr. Manuel Lopez President, Board of Harbor Commissioners, said “We are excited about the opportunities SeaLand’s business line brings to our region’s businesses and the strengthening of the Port’s ties to Latin America.”

“Sealand brings a valuable weekly service to the Port supporting those regional customers that grow and handle fresh fruit, vegetables, dried fruit, nuts, cotton and hay. Additionally, the service strengthens the Port’s connections with Central and South America, our long-term target trade lanes which promises to enhance our longstanding relationships with fresh fruit importers and exporters,” said Kristin Decas, CEO & Port Director Port of Hueneme.

SeaLand COO Timothy Child

Craig Mygatt, CEO of SeaLand, said “SeaLand works closely with customers to provide the best routings possible for their supply chain needs. Shipping is by far the most fuel efficient method of transporting goods and has the lowest carbon footprint, compared to trucking and air, depending on the corridors used. Port Hueneme not only is an alternative shipping option for produce that is typically trucked from Mexico. It is also a gateway for the produce center of California improving the distribution of goods coming to or from the Valley.”

SeaLand is a regional, ocean transportation company dedicated to the Intra-Americas market and is a division of the Maersk Group. SeaLand commenced operations on January 1, 2015 with local, knowledgeable sales and support staff positioned throughout the Americas to serve the unique requirements of shippers in this market. The trusted, re-established SeaLand brand reflects a strong tradition of customer-centric service in this trade region.

The company’s infrastructure provides greater service flexibility and enables the company to act quickly to respond to market dynamics. Over 240 dedicated personnel make up the SeaLand organization. In-country sales and customer service teams, along with a network of customer specialists, provides accessible, collaborative local service and support.

For more information, please visit: www.SeaLand.com. Media Contact: SeaLand Marketing & Communications Manager – Kiera Kramer Kiera.Kramer@sealand.com +1-954-329-5572

The Port of Hueneme is one of the most productive and efficient commercial trade gateways for niche cargo on the West Coast. The Port is governed by five locally elected Port Commissioners. The Port moves $9 billion in goods each year and consistently ranks among the top ten U.S. ports for automobiles and fresh produce. Port operations support the community by bringing $1.5 billion in economic activity and creating 13,633 trade-related jobs. Trade through the Port of Hueneme generates more than $93 million in direct and related state and local taxes, which fund vital community services.

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