To better serve customers shipping cargo between the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico, Crowley Maritime Corporation has acquired 400 53-foot (102' wide) dry high-cube containers and 375 53-foot chassis, adding to the company's already robust equipment fleet of more than 45,000 modern units. The containers, which have a capacity of 3,931 cubic feet and 42,660 pounds, were delivered in Jacksonville last week.

"This significant acquisition is part of our continued commitment to the U.S. - Puerto Rico trade and to meeting and exceeding our customers' requirements," said Crowley's John Douglass, senior vice president and general manager, Puerto Rico and Caribbean services. "These new containers, which provide optimum value for shippers with low density, high-cube cargo, are particularly needed now as we enter the peak holiday shipping season."

The new containers exceed all new and amended ISO standards for freight container door security applications. A combination of security enhancements and upgrades deters and prevents unauthorized access to containers and loaded cargo.

Over the years, Crowley has converted most of its enclosed-equipment fleet to containers, which offer structural durability and safety for cargo and the flexibility to be accommodated in both Lift-On/Lift-Off (Lo/Lo) and Roll-On/Roll-Off (Ro/Ro) services when paired with a chassis. Since 2003, Crowley has invested close to $240 million dollars to modernize its equipment fleet by nearly 24,000 units.'Most recently, in April of this year, Crowley added 250 45' (102 wide) containers and 250 40' (96 wide) high-cube containers to its equipment fleet in order to better serve the growing needs of its customers in Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and throughout Central America.