WDS set to begin Pensacola port ops

PENSACOLA, Fla. - World Direct Shipping (WDS) announced plans Jan. 26 to begin weekly sailings between the Port of Coatzacoalcos in Mexico’s state of Veracruz and the Port of Pensacola beginning Feb. 1. A second port along northern Mexico’s Gulf Coast will be added to the rotation in the near future, according to a WDS media release. “We are excited about our addition of Pensacola,” said Carlos Diaz, director of the Port Manatee, Fla.-based company. “It’s exciting to have this opportunity to open another ocean route between Florida and Mexico.” The two Mexican ports will give WDS access to Mexico City’s industrial and market regions, which, according to Diaz, should provide additional opportunities for more exports through Pensacola to Southeast markets. “Breaking into the container markets is a big deal for a smaller port like Pensacola,” said Port of Pensacola Director Amy Miller. “We’ve always known that there were smaller, niche container markets out there that made sense,” she said. The WDS service will be supported by two vessels. The first designated vessel is the 435-foot-long M/V Queen B has capacity for 657 (22-foot equivalent units or TEUs). The second is a chartered vessel of similar size. It is scheduled to be included in the rotation after WDS takes delivery in the fourth quarter of 2018. (Source: Port of Pensacola 01/26/17)