Grand Alliance GAX loop puts in at Port Everglades after cutting Miami

THE Grand Alliance's Gulf Atlantic Express (GAX) service that is jointly operated by Hapag-Lloyd, NYK Line and Orient Overseas Container Line has started calling at Port Everglades with the arrival of the Philadelphia Express at the Florida International Terminal.

This development comes after the South Florida call on the GAX service was shifted from Miami to Port Everglades, in "to enhance our schedule performance and to better meet the needs of our customers", according to a statement from OOCL. The last vessel calling at Miami was the St Louis Express on August 17.

The GAX service is operated using a fleet of five 3,237 TEU vessels calling at Port Everglades, Houston, Savannah, Charleston, Portsmouth/Norfolk, Antwerp, Thamesport and Bremerhaven.

"Hapag-Lloyd and FIT have operated a successful Mediterranean Gulf Express service at Port Everglades since 2007, and we are happy to see the relationship continue to prosper," said Port Everglades CEO Steven Cernak.