The first call for the TP7 Service started today at PortMiami with the arrival of the Maersk Kristina, a 6,700 TEU (20 foot equivalent unit) cargo vessel.  The service’s line up will include additional cargo vessels with a capacity of 8,700 TEUs.  The South Florida Container Terminal Miami will handle the new service at their PortMiami cargo yard.

The new weekly TP7 Service at PortMiami offers more competitive transit times from South East Asia to the East Coast of the United States.  PortMiami will be the only direct service to Yantian, China, and Kaohsiung, Taiwan in the market today.

Westbound rotation includes:  Savannah – Charleston – Miami – Tangier – Valencia – Suez Canal – Jeddah – Kaohsiung – Ningbo – Shanghai – Yantian – Hong Kong.

Eastbound rotation includes:  Kaohsiung – Ningbo – Shanghai – Yantian – Hong Kong – Tanjung Pelepas – Suez Canal – Tangier – Savannah – Charleston – Miami.

"We are pleased to welcome what is now the largest regular container service to call at PortMiami," said Mayor Carlos Gimenez. "The new service is a major enhancement to the Port’s cargo offerings."

PortMiami Director Bill Johnson said he expects that the new service is the first of what will be increasingly larger cargo vessels operating from the Port.

"The arrival of Maersk’s TP7 Service underscores the importance of PortMiami’s $2 billion investment in infrastructure improvement projects," Johnson said.  "The deepening of our channel, along with new on-dock rail and the completion of the port tunnel are all critical for the new generation of larger container vessels."

Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioner’s Chairwoman Rebeca Sosa called the new service "a vote of confidence" in PortMiami’s growth strategy. "As a major player in the global market, we are excited to attract 8,000 TEUS-plus super-sized vessels to Miami."

The Maersk Kristina is scheduled to depart on Saturday, May 25th. For more information about Maersk Line’s TP7 Service please visit www.maerskline.com.

About PortMiami

PortMiami is among America's busiest ports and recognized across the globe with the dual distinction of being the Cruise Capital of the World and the Cargo Gateway of the Americas. PortMiami contributes more than $28 billion annually to the South Florida economy and helps provide more than 207,000 direct and indirect jobs.