U.K.-based Ellerman City Liners is now offering direct container service to GCT Terminal New York from three destinations in Europe. Ellerman’s containership is expected to make its inaugural call to GCT Terminal New York around Christmas. The port rotation is for the new USX (United States Express) service is Antwerp, Belgium; Rotterdam, Netherlands; Tilbury, England; New York, NY; Wilmington, NC; and Jacksonville, Fla. The USX service also provides a connecting transshipment service option to/from Spain and Portugal via its market leading Iberia shortsea service.

With its new first call inbound direct service from the United Kingdom, Ellerman is placing an emphasis on fast transits, schedule integrity and customer service. Ellerman’s management team saw there was a void in reliable fast transit times between North Europe and the US.

Peter Andrews, Commercial Director for Ellerman City, said of the USX service, “The launch of our new express service for the United States is another compelling commitment from Ellerman in providing forward thinking and best in class logistics solutions for our customers. The launch of our new service is a testament to the expertise of our team and the ethos and desire in delivering expertise and excellence in everything we do.”

In their European port rotation, Ellerman calls at terminals in Europe that are smaller in size but highly focused on the customer experience. So, choosing GCT New York aligned well with Ellerman’s service model.

Brian Kobza, Director of Sales and Marketing for GCT New York said of the liner’s choice of the New York facility for the first inbound call, “We are proud that Ellerman City has chosen GCT New York as their first port of call for their new USX service. Their unique VIP express service aligns with the terminals ability to provide best-in-class vessel and truck service.”

GCT New York, located on Staten Island, near the Goethals Bridge is a full-service container and cargo handling facility situated on 187-acres, and is fitted with an expanded on-dock rail service, and a 3,012-foot (918.1-meter) contiguous berth, six container gantry cranes, two RTGs and around 30 Top Loaders/Reach Stackers. GCT also operates a near-dock Centralized Examination Station and an on-dock refrigerated warehouse facility.

The GTC New York terminal’s truck turn times average less 30 minutes for a single move and less than 50 minutes for a double move. And truck tolls to GCT are less than $40.00 roundtrip if the trucker is enrolled at the PANYNJ’s “Toll Reimbursement Program”. Additionally, the container gantry cranes can make 35 moves per hour per crane, the highest in the Northeast.

And the addition of the Ellerman City USX service isn’t the only new call for GCT New York. The terminal also added a service by KCN (Kalypso Compagnia Di Navigazione) which made its first call early in December.

As Kobza says of the service additions, “The addition of KCN and now Ellerman City is a testament to our management and labor team at GCT NY. Day in and Day out they are committed to our customers with a unique focus on the customer in all aspects of our operation.”