Höegh Autoliners announced it will initiate service from Bridgeport, Conn. to West Africa and the Middle East next month.
James Perduto, vice president of marketing, said strong demand from customers in those markets and the presence of a good market for second-hand automobiles from dealers and automobile auction lots in New England made Bridgeport a good site for expansion.
Bridgeport will be added to the line’s existing West African sailing schedule, which includes two monthly direct calls at Lagos, Nigeria; Lome, Togo; Cotonou, Benin; and Tema, Ghana. The first vessel to call Bridgeport will be the Höegh Trubadour on Jan. 14.
Beginning in mid January 2009, Höegh Autoliners’ Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East service will start calling Bridgeport to load for Beirut, Lebanon and Tripoli, Libya once every three weeks.
Cargo deliveries for both trades will be accepted by Coastline Terminals at 535 Seaview Avenue in Bridgeport.
In addition, the company will continue to provide service from Bayonne, N.J.
American Shipper