Caribbean Feeder Services celebrates 12 years

Caribbean Feeder Services Limited (CFS), established in 1999 as an independent feeder operator, celebrated its 12th anniversary on March 19.

In a ceremony held at Fort Charles in Port Royal, Frank Wellnitz, a founding partner of CFS, described the momentous occasion as a dream come true.

"Caribbean Feeder Services is not only a reality, it has been a great success. It has been tested in every aspect of its operations; it has been tested by economic downturn, it has been tested in competition (and) it has passed all these tests with flying colours," Wellnitz said.

According to Wellnitz, CFS was born out of the need to provide a connection between the Port of Kingston and Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. This was made possible through vessels provided by Harren & Partner, a German-based shipping group. Over the last 12 years, CFS has expanded to provide feeder services to the wider Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, Colombia and Venezuela, serving 24 ports on a regular basis. CFS boasts a fleet of 12 vessels, with nine flying the Jamaican flag.

"Tonight we celebrate two significant accomplishments: twelve years of successfully linking ports across the length and breadth of the Caribbean Sea; and, second, having not just survived the last two years but, more important, emerging as a stronger and 'wiser' corporation," Wellnitz concluded.

special mention

Wellnitz made special mention of his business partner, friend and visionary, Peter Harren, owner of the Harren & Partner group, without whom CFS' venture would not have been possible.

One hundred guests, including representatives of the Jamaican shipping community and Caribbean Maritime Institute, attended the function.

Representatives from the local shipping industry, the Caribbean Maritime Institute and the German Embassy were present.