Seaboard Marine carries critical commodities through COVID-19 pandemic

SEABOARD MARINE, for more than 40 years, has served the Western Hemisphere carrying cargo to some of the world’s hardest-hit countries in the aftermath of natural disasters. But no situation has come close to the recent pandemic affecting nearly every country on earth.

Since the spread of the novel coronavirus, Seaboard Marine has been working with various seaport and government officials to ensure they can continue to operate as an essential service, while making necessary adjustments to ensure the expeditious transport of cargo and supplies.

In Jamaica, Seaboard Marine provides dependable weekly service from the USA that is keeping the manufacturers of sanitation items supplied with raw material to make hand sanitisers, bleach, and other cleaning products needed at this time.

The Seaboard Marine’s service is helping to keep Jamaica’s weekly supply chain going, with no delays. Like clockwork, containers of food items not produced in Jamaica sail on Fridays and arrive on Monday mornings for Jamaica’s supermarkets and distribution hubs. The Montego Bay connections are also working smoothly along with the Seaboard Montego Bay warehouse for less than containerloads to ensure that western Jamaica is supplied with their essential products.

Corah-Ann Robertson Sylvester, CEO of Seaboard Jamaica, said, “Seaboard Jamaica is committed to fulfilling our role as a key supply chain partner. We want to assure our customers, we will do everything possible to ensure vital supplies reach the people.”

CRITICAL MATERIALS

Seaboard Marine supports its valued customers who manufacture medical supplies. Their facilities extend throughout the US, Latin America and the Caribbean Basin. Many have increased the production of these critical items in response to the rapid spread of COVID-19.

Stephen Bell, vice-president of the Caribbean Division at Seaboard Marine, said, “Seaboard Marine, as a company, remains committed to partnering with our many valued customers who make medical supplies and other apparatus for medical use, especially in these critical times. Their crucial supply chains operate best when we understand their needs, while adjusting to changing curfews, stay-at-home orders, and other challenges in the communities in which we serve.”

All of the offices within the Seaboard network, including those overseas, are ensuring that cargo containers, trucks, and needed local paperwork are provided, so the urgently manufactured masks and gowns are promptly delivered via Seaboard Marine ships for quick transit to areas of need.

In addition to threatening lives, this pandemic has interrupted the normal order of society. However, this is not dissimilar to a natural disaster, and, through business- continuity strategies, Seaboard Marine was prepared in advance. With over 90 per cent of their office-based staff now working remotely while also keeping their cargo terminals and vessels operating at a high standard, Seaboard Marine is working with customers to use their combined assets and infrastructure to fight against the spread of the virus urgently. Together we will overcome COVID-19.