Crowley to utilize Port of Gulfport for US Gulf – Central America and Mexico Service

1999-06-23

(JACKSONVILLE, FL; June 23, 1999) Crowley American Transport will shift its service between the US Gulf and Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador and the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula from Lake Charles to the Port of Gulfport, Miss., beginning July 26.

Oversight and management of the Roll On / Roll Off vessel service, which will make approximately 80 sailings per year from Gulfport, will be handled by Crowley personnel in the companys New Orleans office.

Vessels in the service call Progreso, Mexico; Puerto Corts, Honduras; Santo Toms, Guatemala; and Progreso before returning to Gulfport. Managua, Nicaragua and San Salvador, El Salvador are served overland via Puerto Corts and Santo Toms respectively.

Crowley will also continue to operates its Gulf Express and Gulf -East Coast South America services from Houston and New Orleans. The Gulf Express links the US Gulf with Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela, and the Gulf – East Coast South America service links Mexico and the US Gulf with Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

“We look forward to bringing Crowleys award winning quality service to this new port and expect that it will be well received by shippers in the region,” said Rinus Schepen, Crowley Vice President and General Manager, Central America & Mexico Services. “Operating from Gulfport will create the opportunity for an expanded range of customers to utilize our services.”

“The Mississippi State Port Authority is pleased to welcome Crowley American Transport to the Port of Gulfport,” said Anthony J. Taormina, Executive Director, Mississippi State Port Authority. “Crowleys decision to come here further highlights the strategic importance of our Port. Adding the company to our vessel service profile will greatly enhance the Port Authoritys ability to bring transportation solutions to Mississippi businesses and other shippers to and from the US Gulf Coast.”

Headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, Crowley American Transport provides cargo common carrier services between Canada, the United States and countries in Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oakland-based Crowley Maritime Corp., founded in 1892.