Great Lakes East (GLE), a breakbulk cargo carrier, has moved its Florida operations to Port Canaveral. The company will now offer monthly import and export service to San Juan, Puerto Rico. GLE will use the 5,800-ton covered roll-on/roll-off warehouse barge Crimson Clover for this route. Terminal operations and stevedoring at Port Canaveral will be managed by GT USA.
Capt. John Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral, said, “Port Canaveral strives for excellence in all facets of our operations, including growing our cargo business. This is a win-win scenario for our port and partners by diversifying our cargo portfolio and delivering long-term value to a growing customer base. GLE recognized Port Canaveral’s multi-purpose berths, commitment to service and easy access to Atlantic shipping lanes to provide their customers with strategic advantages for enhanced efficiency and improved supply chain performance.”
The Crimson Clover will operate from North Cargo Berth 6 at Port Canaveral. It features two side ramps designed for roll-on/roll-off operations, which makes it suitable for moving rolling stock, oversize loads, and heavy equipment. The barge will transport goods such as forest products, lumber, and steel between Florida and Puerto Rico under Jones Act compliance.
GLE customers using the new Port Canaveral-based service can expect shorter transit times in both directions between Florida and Puerto Rico. Cargo delivery operates on a first-come, first-served basis without requiring appointments. The service also includes technological improvements like advanced cargo scanning systems that increase accuracy and speed of processing. Additionally, GLE has added a more powerful tugboat to help maintain reliable scheduling and improve overall transit time.
Joe Starck, President of Great Lakes Towing, commented on the move: “We are striving to provide the best customer experience in the market by investing in the right people, equipment, and infrastructure. Our relocation to Port Canaveral is a reflection of that commitment. We are dedicated to delivering a quality service our customers can count on—reliably, efficiently, and with a focus on continuous improvement.”
