MIAMI -- Seaboard Marine, the ocean transportation subsidiary of Seaboard Corp., is resuming shipments into Haiti with its first call on the Port of Lafiteau set for Jan. 26. Seaboard announced the plans on Jan. 22
The company said the port is less than 10 miles from Port-au-Prince and enjoys clear roads to the main part of the city. Seaboard personnel have been repairing and securing the dock at Lafiteau. The ship, the Seaboard Sun, will restrict cargo to humanitarian goods and infrastructure relief projections routed through international relief entities and U.S. government agencies. A specialized ramp will be used for discharges to “maximize its vessel calls into Lafiteau.” Seaboard is planning for the ship to shuttle back and forth between Kingston, Jamaica, and Lafiteau.

“We are working closely with government partners and relief agencies,” Seaboard said. “The logistical challenges are immense. As a result, bookings are limited to those groups with consignees that have proven, secure and effective distribution networks in Haiti. Seaboard is committed to moving relief aid in the most efficient manner possible, and it is critical that discharged containers be moved quickly to the distribution points and emptied immediately. We apologize for initially not being able to take bookings from all customers, but we expect that such restrictions can be eased as the situation stabilizes.”

Seaboard Corp., the parent of Seaboard Marine, operates a number of businesses worldwide. In the United States, Seaboard Foods is one of the largest vertically integrated pork producers and processors. The company’s Commodity Trading & Milling Division operates flour mills and other facilities in Africa, South America and the Caribbean. The company is a partner in Haiti’s only flour mill, a facility that was damaged badly in the earthquake.