Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is introducing a new service from Broward County's Port Everglades to Nassau, Bahamas, planned for three weekly sailings. The new MSC Nassau, Bahamas service is targeting increased business from South Florida to the Bahamas with an eye on future transshipments through Port Everglades for cargo originating in other global markets.

'MSC's new service offers opportunities for smaller shippers who want to transship through South Florida to the Bahamas,' says Port Everglades Director Phillip C. Allen. 'There is a significant demand for this service from Port Everglades due to the Port's direct access to the interstate highway system and proximity to Bahamas.'

Port officials estimate that MSC's new Nassau service could generate an additional 20,000 teus annually for Port Everglades. MSC cargo is handled through Port Everglades Terminals (PET), which is Port Everglades' second largest containerized cargo terminal operator.

Port Everglades officials recently greeted the arrival of the first ship in the rotation, the 585 teu, 7,565-ton MSC Aures. Port Director Allen was on hand to present a welcoming plaque to MSC General Manager Jose Moreno.

Port Everglades, located in South Florida, is ranked as one of the fastest growing container seaports in the United States according to the PIERS import/export database. A world-class cargo handling facility, Port Everglades serves as an ideal point of entry for products shipped to and from Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe and the Far East. Port Everglades has direct access to the interstate highway system, is within two miles of the FEC rail hub and is just one mile from the Atlantic Shipping Lanes. Ongoing capital improvements and expansion ensure that Port Everglades will have the ability to handle the Port's growing container traffic.