Florida East Coast Railway's Intermodal Container Transfer Facility Benefits Crowley Maritime

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Nov. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The opening of Florida East Coast Railway's (FECR) new, state-of-the-art intermodal container transfer facility (ICTF) adjacent to Crowley Maritime Corporation's Port Everglades, Fla., terminal is providing Crowley customers with more efficient cargo handling and faster deliveries now that containers no longer need to be trucked via interstate highways to and from an off-site rail terminal. Additionally, the strategic location of the 43-acre, near-dock facility is allowing Crowley to handle bigger, heavier break bulk and out-of-gauge cargo more efficiently and cost effectively because of the shorter distance required for transit to and from the rail facility.

"As one of the FECR's largest intermodal customers, the location of the new ICTF is a win-win, not only for Crowley, but also for our shipping and logistics customers who are now benefitting from faster and more efficient cargo handling," said Bob Weist, Crowley Vice President. "The decision to open the facility in such close proximity to ours is illustrative of the importance of our partnership."

Crowley has been one of FECR's largest intermodal customers since the company established a terminal in south Florida. Working together, Crowley and FECR have been able to grow container traffic volume density in South Florida year after year by aligning Crowley's Port Everglades rail transportation needs with FECR's double-stack intermodal rail network that originates and terminates in Fort Lauderdale.  This new rail facility provides yet another opportunity for Crowley to service its liner and logistics customers with varied intermodal transportation options, something the company is proactively offering.

"We have begun educating our customers on the strategic benefits of having the ICTF literally in our backyard in Port Everglades," said Weist. "Our break bulk and out-of-gauge customers are particularly enthusiastic about being able to have their cargo off the ship and on the rail in a fraction of the time. That's good for everyone."

By diverting trucks from the roads, the ICTF reduces congestion on interstate highways and local roadways and reduces carbon emissions. In addition to international business, FECR has also relocated its existing domestic intermodal service to the ICTF thereby further reducing roadway traffic in the area.

"Our investment in this state-of-the-art facility increases FECR's available intermodal capacity from 100,000 to 450,000 lifts a year, which is expected to result in more containers moving on FECR instead of the congested highways  and improving the efficiency of our intermodal network," said James R. Hertwig, President and CEO, FECR.  "We are pleased with the initial performance of the ICTF and look forward to continuing to offer efficient transportation services for Crowley and the shipping community around Port Everglades."

About Crowley Maritime
Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 122-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company. The company provides project solutions, transportation and logistics services in domestic and international markets by means of six operating lines of business: Puerto Rico/Caribbean Liner Services, Latin America Liner Services, Logistics Services, Petroleum Services, Marine Services and Technical Services. Offered within these operating lines of business are: liner container shipping, logistics, contract towing and transportation; ship assist and escort; energy support; salvage and emergency response through its TITAN Salvage subsidiary; vessel management; vessel construction and naval architecture through its Jensen Maritime subsidiary; government services, and petroleum and chemical transportation, distribution and sales. Additional information about Crowley, its subsidiaries and business units may be found on the Internet at www.crowley.com.

About Florida East Coast Railway

Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Florida East Coast Railway is committed to providing customers with outstanding reliability, flexibility and connectivity. The company provides a wide range of economical services, including carload and door-to-door intermodal solutions across North America.  In addition, FECR connects customers to worldwide locations through its strategic partnerships with Port Miami, Port Everglades and Port of Palm Beach.  For more information, visit www.fecrwy.com.

SOURCE Florida East Coast Railway, LLC