FL: SeacatLine Expands Service to Port Tampa Bay  with Addition of Second Vessel

Port Tampa Bay is pleased to welcome the announcement by SeacatLine that it is adding a second vessel to its Costa Rica–Tampa container service, increasing the frequency from fortnightly to weekly. The M/V Pia has joined the M/V Juice Express on the service from Puerto Moin, Costa Rica making her inaugural call at Port Tampa Bay on January 19. In addition to specializing in refrigerated and dry container shipping services, SeacatLine also accepts break-bulk and project cargoes.  

Port Logistics Refrigerated Services (PLRS) provides terminal and stevedoring services at Port Tampa Bay for SeacatLine. The PLRS terminal facility at Port Tampa Bay includes a new state-of-the-art 135,000 square-foot cold storage warehouse, currently with 168 reefer plugs (and expanding), as well as dedicated fumigation services, with an adjacent berth served by two dedicated mobile harbor cranes. SeacatLine is a division of the Curacao–headquartered Seatrade Group, one of the world’s largest refrigerated shipping companies.  

“Seatrade has provided continuous service to Port Tampa Bay for more than two decades,” remarked Paul Anderson, Port Tampa Bay President & CEO. “This expansion from such a great long-standing partner is very welcome news.”  

“Costa Rica is a key trading partner for Port Tampa Bay and this increased frequency will benefit importers and exporters throughout Florida, the Southeast and beyond,” added Raul Alfonso, Port Tampa Bay Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer.    

Port Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest and most diversified port, handling a wide variety of bulk, break-bulk, containerized and refrigerated cargoes, as well as being a major cruise homeport and a hub for shipbuilding and repair.