Seaboard Marine Introduces Fastest Direct Shipping Route from Colombia to the U.S. Northeast
Seaboard Marine, a global leader in ocean transportation throughout the Americas, has announced a major enhancement to its North Atlantic service by launching the fastest direct ocean shipping route from Colombia to the U.S. Northeast. Effective Thursday, June 26, 2025, this upgraded service will feature weekly direct sailings from Santa Marta, Colombia, with vessels arriving every Monday at the Gloucester Marine Terminal, located near Philadelphia.
This milestone service initiative positions Seaboard Marine at the forefront of trade logistics between Colombia and one of the most vital consumer markets in the United States. With an unprecedented 5-day transit time from Santa Marta to Gloucester, Seaboard’s new offering significantly reduces the time it takes for Colombian goods—particularly perishables—to reach major U.S. markets, providing both exporters and importers with a competitive advantage through increased speed, efficiency, and reliability.
A Strategic Response to Growing Trade Demands
The announcement comes at a time of continued growth in Colombia–U.S. trade. Colombia, a key agricultural and industrial export hub in Latin America, has long relied on efficient and dependable shipping routes to support its dynamic economy. The United States, particularly the densely populated Northeast corridor, remains a major importer of Colombian goods, ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to textiles and manufactured products.
Recognizing this demand, Seaboard Marine’s new direct service reflects a strategic decision to meet growing shipper expectations for shorter transit times and greater schedule dependability. By eliminating transshipment delays and minimizing intermediate port calls, Seaboard is reshaping the delivery timeline for critical Colombian exports.
Expanded Coverage and Cold Chain Integrity
In addition to the direct link from Santa Marta, the enhanced North Atlantic service continues to provide access from Cartagena and Barranquilla, two other prominent Colombian ports. This expanded port coverage ensures that exporters from a wider geographical footprint within Colombia can take advantage of the improved service and access key destinations in the U.S. more efficiently.
A critical feature of this upgraded route is Seaboard Marine’s robust cold chain capabilities. The vessels deployed on this service are equipped to handle a high volume of temperature-sensitive cargo, ensuring the preservation of perishable goods from origin to destination. With Colombia being a major exporter of fresh produce, including avocados, bananas, and flowers, the cold chain reliability offered by Seaboard is essential to preserving product integrity and meeting stringent quality expectations in the U.S. market.
“The speed and reliability of the cold chain from origin to distribution centers in the U.S. Northeast is often a determining factor in product pricing, shelf life, and customer satisfaction,” said a Seaboard Marine spokesperson. “We understand the pressures our customers face, especially in fresh and frozen categories, and this service is built to meet those needs with precision.”
Strategic Destination: Gloucester Marine Terminal
The choice of Gloucester Marine Terminal as the primary U.S. discharge port adds another layer of efficiency and customer value. Situated in the Philadelphia metropolitan area, Gloucester is a premier port facility offering world-class infrastructure for both refrigerated and dry cargo. Its proximity to major population centers, such as New York City, Washington, D.C., and Boston, enables rapid inland distribution via an integrated network of highways and rail connections.
The terminal itself is equipped with extensive cold storage capacity, specialized handling equipment, and a reputation for handling fresh cargo with speed and care. For importers, this translates into faster turnaround times, minimized dwell times, and enhanced inventory control.
Monday vessel arrivals to Gloucester are strategically timed to allow goods to be cleared and distributed early in the week, giving importers a logistical edge in restocking shelves and fulfilling customer orders.
Additionally, Seaboard’s service includes calls at the Red Hook Terminal in Brooklyn, New York, further expanding its reach into the U.S. Northeast and providing additional flexibility for customers based in or near the New York metropolitan area.
Service Highlights at a Glance
The newly enhanced service offers a host of strategic benefits designed to optimize supply chains and support business growth for exporters and importers alike:
- Fastest Ocean Transit: With a 5-day voyage from Santa Marta to Gloucester, this route sets a new industry benchmark for Colombia–Northeast U.S. service.
- Weekly Direct Departures: Reliable sailings every week from Santa Marta ensure consistent scheduling and planning.
- Monday Arrivals at Gloucester: Early-week arrivals facilitate immediate inland transportation and quicker product availability.
- Expanded Port Access: In addition to Santa Marta, the service continues to offer connections from Cartagena and Barranquilla.
- Cold Chain Excellence: State-of-the-art refrigeration technology ensures that temperature-sensitive goods remain in prime condition throughout the journey.
- Dual U.S. Discharge Ports: Inbound cargo is delivered not only to Gloucester but also to the Red Hook Terminal in Brooklyn, maximizing regional distribution options.
Strengthening Colombia–U.S. Trade Relations
Seaboard Marine’s investment in this service upgrade underscores the company’s long-term commitment to strengthening trade ties between Colombia and the United States. By improving transit speed and reliability, the company is enabling Colombian exporters to expand their market presence in the U.S. while supporting American businesses that rely on timely access to Colombian products.
“This is a transformative development for exporters in Colombia,” said Piero Buitano, Regional Vice President of Seaboard Marine. “Offering the fastest connection from Colombia to the U.S. Northeast is a game changer for our customers. It not only accelerates transit times but also creates an exceptional opportunity for Colombia’s exporters to grow their business. The ability to deliver high-quality, fresh, and time-sensitive products faster than ever before is a strong competitive advantage.”
Supporting Economic Growth and Supply Chain Resilience
In addition to its commercial benefits, the new service also contributes to broader supply chain resilience across the Americas. As global trade routes face growing challenges, including port congestion, climate disruptions, and geopolitical uncertainties, fast and direct services such as this play a vital role in maintaining supply chain continuity.
Seaboard Marine’s streamlined Colombia–U.S. Northeast route minimizes points of failure, reduces exposure to delays, and enhances the predictability that is critical for industries such as retail, foodservice, and manufacturing.
For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Colombia, this service could open new pathways to enter the U.S. market, providing them with a cost-effective and reliable shipping option that can scale as their export volumes grow.
With this launch, Seaboard Marine is reaffirming its position as a logistics innovator and solutions provider in the Western Hemisphere. The company’s focus on speed, service reliability, and customer-centric enhancements reflects its deep understanding of the evolving needs of today’s global shippers.
As trade between Latin America and the United States continues to grow, Seaboard Marine’s new direct connection between Colombia and the U.S. Northeast sets a new standard for excellence and efficiency in ocean freight transport.
For businesses seeking to gain a time-sensitive edge in the import/export market, Seaboard’s latest service may represent not just an upgrade in logistics—but a catalyst for growth.