January 21 - Naviera Master Line de Venezuela CA, a division of Master Line Shipping Company, has selected Port Manatee, USA, for a new container and breakbulk cargo service to Caribbean, Central and South American destinations.

The first sailing is expected from Port Manatee on March 8, 2013, and Naviera Master Line expects to transport a variety of breakbulk and containerised cargo to destinations in Colombia, Panama, Venezuela and Trinidad.

"For the targeted business we have with Central Florida auctions, like Alex Lyon & Son, CAT, Ritchie Bros. and Yoder & Frey, Port Manatee is the closest port to Orlando and a very strategic port to the countries that we serve," commented Naviera Master Line president Juan Carlos Esquivel.

Carol Whitmore, Manatee County Port Authority chairman, added: "This is the type of business that generates new jobs for the people of our community and we look forward to a lasting relationship with Naviera Master Line."

HLPFI understands that typical cargoes will include oversize and heavy construction equipment and a variety of containerised cargoes destined for Cristobal, Panama; Cartagena and Barranquilla, Colombia; Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, La Guaira and Guanta, Venezuela; and La Brea, Trinidad.

"We look forward to officially welcoming Naviera Master Line and we plan to actively promote the new service to Florida shippers and overseas companies," said Port Manatee executive director Carlos Buqueras.

www.masterline.us

www.portmanatee.com