Seaboard resumes calls to Haiti

The Seaboard Sun discharges humanitarian cargo via a ramp at the Lafiteau dock in Haiti. The Sun calls Haiti twice weekly. - Contributed

Seaboard Marine has resumed vessel calls to Haiti after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit the island early January.

The M/V Seaboard Sun has already made two calls to Haiti to the port of Lafiteau. Lafiteau is less than 10 miles from Port-au-Prince and has clear roads to the main part of the city. The Seaboard Sun is utilising a specialised ramp to discharge cargo.

In order to maximise its vessel calls into Lafiteau, the ship will shuttle between Kingston and Lafiteau. All Haiti cargo from the United States, via Miami, Fernandina Beach and Brooklyn will be relayed over Kingston on to the Seaboard Sun, which will provide a direct service to Port-au-Prince.

Partnership

Seaboard's downtown Port-au-Prince office has been relocated, but the container terminal that Seaboard Marine utilises (Maritime Logistics of Haiti), near the Port of Port-au-Prince, has been reopened. This terminal will support the cargo that will be discharged from Lafiteau.

Seaboard Marine is working closely with government partners and relief agencies. Initial efforts will be solely restricted to humanitarian goods and infrastructure-relief projects routed through major international relief entities and United States of America government agencies. The logistical challenges are immense. As a result, cargo bookings are limited to those groups with consignees that have proven, secure and effective distribution networks in Haiti. Seaboard is committed to moving relief aid in the most efficient manner possible, and it is critical that discharged containers be moved quickly to the distribution points and emptied immediately.