Regular barge service for breakbulk cargo between Baltimore and Puerto Rico was inaugurated in February by the South Atlantic Barge Lines, supplementing the container services now offered by Sea-Land Services Inc.
For the time being, according to the Cymeon Shipping and Trading Company, of New York, the barge operator's general agent, the service will be on a monthly basis, but a tri-weekly service is anticipated with the growth of cargoes.
The tug-towed barges will call at San Juan, Ponce, Mayaguez, and possibly Arecibo. Officials of the barge line have already described Baltimore's response to the new service as "extraordinary." In Baltimore, South Atlantic's barges will discharge and load cargo at the Maryland Port Authority's Clinton Street Terminal. Terminal Shipping Company is the local agent, 1002 Garrett Building, Baltimore, Md. 21202.
Southbound, the barges will carry cargoes that are bulky, generally not suited to containers, and with a published tariff with rates of less than the container tariff. Already offered are loads of aluminum sulfate, firebrick, timber pilings, tin plate, structural steel, pipe, as well as less bulky items such as beer and glassware.
Northbound, South Atlantic's barges will carry bulk sugar and cement, and possibly petroleum coke.
The line's modern barges, equipped with their own cargo-handling cranes, range in size from 3,000 to 6,500 tons in capacity.