SeaLand, the Intra-Americas regional ocean carrier of the Maersk Group, announces a new service dedicated to trade between the Gulf of Mexico and Eastern and Central United States. The new SeaLand Atlantico service will provide weekly coverage between the ports of Veracruz and Altamira, Mexico and Philadelphia. The service features a fast 6 day transit time. From Philadelphia, Mexican shippers are able to access up to 40% of the U.S. population within only a day’s drive. It is also the epicenter of some of the most robust rail networks in America. The new service will have its first sailing out of Veracruz on January 26th, 2016. The SeaLand Atlantico service offers an alternative transportation option for trade between the regions, which is characterized by the use of ground transportation on 95% of its volumes. This option is especially geared for producers and exporters of perishable goods to the U.S. and provides the economies of scale, security and reliability of an ocean service combined with an expedited transit, ideal for moving goods such as avocados, lemons, tomatoes and commercial cargo. “We are pleased to provide Mexican exporters an alternative to land transport with a high level of security and care for their products. With the SeaLand Atlantico customers avoid transloading cargo, congestion at the border and limited truck power between countries,” commented Jorge Monzalvo, SeaLand Mexico commercial manager. “This new service was developed as a result of feedback from our customers who are looking for innovative transportation solutions. We worked in close collaboration with U.S. and Mexican authorities to ensure this would be a mutually beneficial product for importers, exporters, refrigerated and dry cargo alike,” said Craig Mygatt, CEO SeaLand. “Trade between Mexico and Pennsylvania amounted to close to 7 billion dollars per year [in 2013.] With Philadelphia as its epicenter, this service effectively connects companies to the U.S. Central and Eastern regions offering supply chain efficiencies for importers and exporters alike. It is a desire that we have been cultivating for years and that will become a reality very soon,” said Carlos Giralt-Cabrales, Consul of Mexico in Philadelphia.