Seaboard Marine signs US$160 million Miami port deal, APM-Maersk in talks

THE Port of Miami has struck a US$160 million deal with Seaboard Marine, a container shipping line with 41 vessels running between the United States, the Caribbean, Central and South America that will result in a new maintenance area and export warehouse, announced Miami port director Bill Johnson..

Mr Johnson said the port is in negotiations to sign deals with its two other sea transport companies, the Port of Miami Terminal Operating Company (POMTOC) and AP Moller-Maersk, the world's largest container shipping company with more than 500 ships. POMTOC has 30 sea ships that serve the US east coast Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Seaboard garage and maintenance projects will cover 70 acres at the port and are expected to help increase cargo volume, according to a Miami Today News report, which added that Seaboard will invest "tens of millions of dollars" into the projects over 10 years, according to Mr Johnson.

Miami-based Seaboard Marine, established in 1983, says it has more than 70 sailings monthly from the Port of Miami. "We carry more cargo to and from the Port of Miami than any other carrier."