U.S. shipping and logistics company Crowley has expanded its ocean shipping services with its first-ever route between the U.S. Northeast and Central America, to be served by Avance Class LNG-powered containerships.
Utilizing new Avance Class vessels, the five-day transit between the Port of Philadelphia’s Gloucester Marine Terminal and ports in Guatemala and Honduras is expected to enable the deliveries of food, apparel, industrial products, and consumer goods to and from the Central America Northern Zone, which also includes El Salvador and Nicaragua, Crowley said.
As disclosed, the company’s Copán containership will begin the first voyage on July 3, 2025, from Central America to Gloucester City, New Jersey, operated by Gloucester Terminals, a client company of Holt Logistics Corp.
Reinier van Delden, Vice President of Commercial Operations at Crowley Logistics, claimed that this new service with LNG-powered vessels will deliver “the fastest transit times in the market,” adding: “With significant booking commitments already, we’re excited to bring these vessels to Philadelphia to connect our global customers with access to the regional market using superior, reliable operations provided by Crowley and Gloucester Terminals.”
Christian Holt, Sales Representative for Gloucester and Holt, stated: “Marine service is an important pillar of Philadelphia’s economy, and Gloucester Terminals is proud to be a partner with Crowley to accomplish this milestone for U.S-Central America trade. This new route creates faster and more efficient pathways connecting Northeast Atlantic business owners to international customers.”
This new route between Philadelphia and Central America reportedly expands on Crowley’s operations in the Northeast Atlantic, where it has served Puerto Rico, the Eastern Caribbean, and the Virgin Islands.
To note, the newbuild Copán began its inaugural commercial operations from the Port of Jacksonville (JAXPORT) in Florida in May 2025, while the first ship in the Avance Class, Quetzal, commenced operations in April 2025. Two more ships are expected to initiate service this year.