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Customers & Business: Georgia, New Orleans, Tampa

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The Georgia Ports Authority announced that the primary distributor of Hyper Bicycles, a company that produces high-end BMX racing frames and components, has selected the Port of Savannah as its gateway for reaching customers in the U.S. Southeast. ZIM Integrated Shipping Ltd. formally introduced a new weekly container shipping service to the Port of New Orleans' Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal. In Florida, Royal Caribbean International will be deploying a second ship at the Port of Tampa beginning in the fall of 2014. 

Savannah to Serve as Distribution Point for High-End Bicycles

Ballard Pacific Resources, the primary distributor of Hyper Bicycles, has chosen the Port of Savannah as its gateway to the U.S. Southeast. 

"Better global connections, near-port distribution centers and reduced inland transit costs are important factors bringing new business to Georgia," said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz. "The Port of Savannah is strategically located to reach 44 percent of the U.S. population or 138 million consumers.

A former BMX pro, Clay Goldsmid established Hyper Bicycles in 1990, initially producing high-end BMX Racing frames and components. The company has branched out into the mass market and into specialty sporting goods, offering BMX, mountain bikes and other products to a broad audience of consumers.

"Shorter transit times and lower costs through the Port of Savannah mean that we can better support our existing business, while extending our reach to new customers," said Goldsmid, president of Hyper Bicycles, Inc. "These factors made Savannah the obvious choice for our new East Coast operation.

Goldsmid said the quality of Savannah’s private third-party logistics market was another deciding factor. The Port of Savannah forms a distribution center hub, with more than 4 million square feet of local warehouse space available, with an occupancy rate greater than 88 percent. 

ZIM Begins New Weekly Service at New Orleans

ZIM Integrated Shipping Ltd. formally introduced a new weekly container shipping service to the Port of New Orleans' Napoleon Avenue Container Terminal. The Caribbean Gulf Express, or CGX service, offers weekly service to Caucedo, Dominican Republic; Altamira and Vera Cruz, Mexico; and Kingston, Jamaica.

"We are thrilled to welcome ZIM to the Port of New Orleans," said Port President and CEO Gary LaGrange. "This service will enhance options for shippers and importers not only for Central America and the Caribbean markets, but via ZIM's global network. ZIM's service now increases the Port's competitive transit times to Asia and the rest of the world."

The CGX service serves all major trade routes, including Asia through its hub in Kingston, Jamaica.

Second Royal Caribbean Ship to Sail from Tampa Beginning Next Fall

Royal Caribbean International will be deploying a second ship at the Port of Tampa beginning in the fall of 2014. Royal Caribbean International has been operating one ship at the Port of Tampa, during winter cruise seasons, since January 2002.  

Brilliance of the Seas, which will sail seasonally four- and five-night Western Caribbean cruises, will now be joined by a second Royal Caribbean ship, Vision of the Seas, which will offer seven-night Western Caribbean cruises, sailing from Tampa throughout winter 2014-2015. 

"It is extremely exciting to see Royal Caribbean International’s continued support of the Tampa cruise market by adding an additional vessel to our thriving home port. Royal Caribbean is a very important partner, offering a quality cruise experience to their guests and significant economic value to the port and our region," said Paul Anderson, port president and CEO.

Beginning November 15, Vision of the Seas will sail every Saturday from Tampa to destinations in the Western Caribbean, including Grand Cayman, Cozumel (MX), Costa Maya (MX), Roatan (Honduras) or Belize. The 915-foot ship has a capacity of 2,000 guest, double occupancy, and a crew of 742. 

"The Port of Tampa has been a great partner for more than a decade, and we look forward to continued growth with the Tampa Port Authority in the future," said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. 
 

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