Sea Star Line Makes Continuing Investments in Puerto Rico Trade
Jacksonville, FL – Sea Star Line, LLC has recently initiated programs to reinforce its commitment to quality service and reliability in the maritime trade between the U.S. and Puerto Rico by investing in new refrigerated equipment, concluding vessel dry-dockings, and by upgrading customer resource and business process management tools.
Earlier this year, Sea Star Line began a five-year program to add new, technologically improved refrigerated equipment to its operations. By 2016, after this investment of approximately $11 million is concluded, the average age of the Sea Star Line refrigerated fleet will be about 3.5 years, the youngest fleet of any commercial trade. High quality, reliable refrigerated equipment is critical to ensure that produce and other foodstuffs vital to the citizens of Puerto Rico are delivered in the best possible conditions. Working with its customers, Sea Star Line developed state-of-the-art monitoring procedures to track the refrigerated containers’ performance during all movements in the temperature-controlled supply chain.
Sea Star Line recently concluded major dry-dockings of the El Morro and El Yunque. These dry-dockings represent an investment of over $5 million and include upgrades to the major shipboard systems. This work is designed to ensure Sea Star Line’s vessels are maintained to the highest standards and continue to provide timely and reliable service to Puerto Rico.
“Our commitment to the island and people of Puerto Rico is second to none,” said Peter Keller, President of Sea Star Line, “and we practice that commitment every day through the hard work of our employees and the revenue we invest back into our business. Sea Star Line continues to work hard to reduce costs and administrative burdens so that the process of shipping to and from Puerto Rico becomes easier for all our customers.”
Sea Star Line is also upgrading its financial systems as it prepares for the next decade.
“We are investing millions into state-of-the-art administrative systems to further upgrade interfaces with our customers” continued Keller. “Modern systems and efficient processes are important. Achieving the highest levels of customer service cannot begin or end without the correct initial information, accurate paper work management and effective data transfer capability.”
“We continue to examine our chassis provision programs and policies, both in the U.S. and in Puerto Rico, and will make changes as conditions warrant” said Keller. “We understand the absolute need to add efficiencies that enhance our profitability so we can reinvest in this critical trade lane.”
“The container and Ro/Ro trade to Puerto Rico is an essential component of sustained economic development on the Island and I am proud to say that Sea Star Line will continue to be a robust contributor to the economy of Puerto Rico for decades to come” concluded Keller.
About Sea Star Line, LLC
Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., Sea Star Line offers integrated transportation services to and from the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. With simultaneous roll-on, roll-off and lift-on, lift-off capabilities, Sea Star vessels are the most versatile and efficient in the trade. Company operations are certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and Green Office standards. Sea Star Line was named the QMS Company of the Year and honored with the Logistics Management Quest for Quality Award in the Ocean Carrier segment in 2010 and 2011.