Strategic Partners

Throughout The Caribbean, Tropical Shipping stands out for their commitment to the customers and communities they serve.
 
In the early 1950s, John H. Birdsall, Jr. faced a serious challenge. The developer saw an enormous opportunity to help build a modern Freeport, in Grand Bahama, but he couldn’t get all the construction equipment and materials from Florida to do the job.
 
So Mr. Birdsall purchased a small landing craft -- about 129 feet long -- to begin hauling the machinery and building materials he needed. Soon, other contractors doing work in Freeport urged Mr. Birdsall to carry their goods as well.
 
To satisfy this need, Mr. Birdsall formed Tropical Shipping and Construction Company, Ltd. Its first ship, the Tropic Ace, made its maiden voyage to Freeport in May 1963.
 
Now in 2009, Tropical’s impressive fleet includes 15 vessels -- some up to four football fields long -- and more than 28 port destinations in The Bahamas and The Caribbean.
 
FULL SERVICES
With over 47 years experience carrying cargo to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, Tropical Shipping is the easy way to ship from the US and Canada. Whether shipping Full Container Loads (FCL) or Less than Container Loads (LCL), such as a single package or a refrigerator, Tropical Shipping handles every aspect of the shipping experience from door-to-port.
 
Other services offered by Tropical Shipping include Frozen and Chilled Cargo services, National Pickup from North America, Inland Transportation by rail and truck, as well as Marine Insurance, Airfreight, transportation services between the various islands of the Bahamas and the Caribbean and  Global connections through our partnerships with other shipping lines.
 
More than a shipping company that moves cargo efficiently from here to there, Tropical Shipping is passionately committed to the customers and communities that it serves.
 
While the cargo that Tropical Shipping carries helps grow businesses, build hospitals and development communities, Tropical directly impacts communities throughout the Caribbean with its numerous community outreach programs.
 
FREESTAY CARIBBEAN
Freestay Caribbean (www.freestaycaribbean.com) is a good example. Tropical co-sponsors this program with island tourism boards and associations to encourage cruise passengers to “comeback and stay in the Caribbean” for land-based vacations. The program’s island members offer compelling discounts -- from a free bottle of wine to discounts on hotel rooms. Currently, the program includes 13 participating Caribbean locations with more countries being added every year.
 
EXTRA PROTECTION DURING HURRICANE SEASON
While Tropical Shipping’s one priority is effectively and efficiently meeting the shipping needs of their customers year-round, they work even harder throughout hurricane season. Tropical has developed resources to help the islands in times of dire need, including horrific storms.
 
In every Tropical-serviced island affected by a hurricane or other disaster, teams of Tropical employees are ready to coordinate the quick and efficient importation of supplies. Additionally, each year, Tropical Shipping hosts workshops that are designed to bring together the private and public sector prior to a disaster to coordinate recovery plans that will help ensure business and government continuity after a disaster.
 
Just as Mr. Birdsall found innovative ways to build in the Bahamas, today’s Tropical Shipping continues that tradition -- one of building strong, lasting relationships with the people of the islands.
 
For more information visit us on the web at
www.tropical.com or call: West Palm Beach 561.881.3999, Miami 305.805.7678
Fort Lauderdale 954.748.5777, Outside West Palm, Miami and Fort Lauderdale 1.800.638.8767