BCL to continue Port Elizabeth service

Bermuda Container Line to continue Port Elizabeth service for the time being. In late November 2013 BCL shareholders and importers were advised that Bermuda Container Line would be moving its shipping operations to the Port of Philadelphia from Port Elizabeth New Jersey. The purpose of this move is to maintain the level of quality service that customers have come to expect from BCL.

Last week, the company was advised of a labor dispute between Holt Logistics, Inc. (operators of BCL’s Philadelphia terminal) and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA). The dispute, involving the jurisdiction of certain maintenance and repair work within the Port, has the potential for disrupting stevedoring and repair services within the Port. While BCL is not a party to this dispute, the potential consequences of the dispute may negatively impact both BCL and its customers. The matter is now pending before the U.S. National Labor Relations Board.

To continue forward with BCL’s planned move on the timeline previously announced, while this labor dispute is pending, would subject BCL’s customers to a degree of service uncertainty that is unacceptable.

As such, the BCL Board has decided today that, until the labor dispute and related legal issues between Holt and the ILA are resolved, BCL will continue its operations through the Port of New York/New Jersey. Upon resolution of the legal issues BCL will then provide customers with ample notice before moving and will continue to keep all port service options open for consideration during this time. All existing transshipment contracts and related terms with carriers will remain in effect.

In a separate notice to customers the company apologized for any inconvenience.

Bermuda Container Line (BCL) was formed by a group of importer investors in 1979 and is the island’s first Bermuda owned and operated weekly container and ro/ro service. BCL vessels have delivered nearly a half million containers and countless vehicles, boats, building projects and heavy equipment to the island. The MV Oleander departs each Friday from the US East Coast and connects with global transshipment carriers.