Port Commission Chairman John Hoss has announced the signing of a second global transportation provider at Port Freeport. Hoegh Autoliners, an ocean carrier whose ships specialize in the transport of roll-on/roll-off cargoes (such as automobiles, excavators and other related cargoes), has signed a ten year contract with Port Freeport.
“We are extremely pleased to be associated with Hoegh Autoliners, who is considered a “best-in-class” global ocean carrier. Their extensive network of services allows Port Freeport to have access to all major trade lanes on a worldwide basis.” Hoss went on to state, “this new service will translate to exceptional employment opportunities for the citizens of Brazoria County and is consistent with Port Freeport’s mandate to create regional economic impact.” This new service will add close to 50 full-time stevedoring jobs (those who load/unload the vessels). In addition, another 60 full-time family sustaining jobs will be created by the creation of an automobile processing facility at Port Freeport. Besides these direct jobs, hundreds of additional indirect, induced and related employment opportunities will be established by those ancillary support service providers such as truckers, fuel, maintenance and repair, food and shelter enterprises and a host of others. Executive Port Director Glenn Carlson added, “Hoegh Autoliners represents the second global ocean carrier to commit to Port Freeport in the last six months. With the signing of MSC last October, Port Freeport established itself in the container business with what is considered the number one ranked container carrier. With this successful addition of Hoegh Autoliners, Port Freeport is now associated with the number one ranked ro/ro carrier. We have literally opened Port Freeport to the world and a whole new aspect of global commerce.”