Seaboard Marine strengthens Jamaica–Cayman trade with reefer consolidation

SEABOARD MARINE will launch a bi-weekly refrigerated consolidation service between Kingston, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman on Wednesday, September 17. Aimed at lowering costs for smaller exporters, the weekly direct service will deliver cargo in 36 hours.

“Our aim is to give exporters the ability to ship the variety, textures, colours and flavours of Jamaican foods fresh, much like taking Coronation Market to Cayman,” said Corah Ann Robertson-Sylvester, CEO of Seaboard Jamaica.

Building on more than 30 years of direct, weekly service between the two ports, the new offering allows multiple shippers to combine smaller temperature-sensitive consignments into a single refrigerated container. The model is designed to deliver shared-space savings, better cold-chain integrity and more scheduling flexibility, while supporting compliance for food and pharmaceutical cargo.

“This service opens the lane to more producers, farmers, bakeries and juice makers, who need reliable temperature control without paying for a full container,” Robertson-Sylvester added. “It’s about predictability, compliance and better margins for exporters.”

Seaboard says the consolidation targets fresh produce, baked goods, juices and other speciality items, responding to growing demand as Jamaican exporters continue to serve the Cayman market.

The bi-weekly service will sail on Wednesdays, with cargo acceptance on Wednesdays between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., at the TLF Commercial Delivery Area at Kingston Wharves Limited. The shipping line noted that the chilled consolidation complements its existing schedule and underscores its commitment to connecting Caribbean markets while delivering reliable transit for perishable cargo.