Bermuda International Shipping Ltd has donated $12,500 each to the Bermuda Sloop Foundation and the National Museum of Bermuda in commemoration of 25 years of its cargo service from the US to Bermuda.

The company, which owns the Bermuda Islander cargo vessel, operates a weekly cargo service from the Port of Salem, New Jersey.

The company stated: “Bermuda International Shipping Ltd was formed 30 years ago as a Bermudian-based shipping alternative by a consortium of 65 individuals and companies. The cargo service first provided service from the Port of Jacksonville, Florida and then in 1989 shifted to a weekly service from the Port of Salem, New Jersey. Over the past 25 years, the Bermuda Islander has completed over 1,275 round trips covering nearly two million nautical miles. She averages 26 refrigerated containers per voyage and has carried a total of 140,000 containers.”

BISL said that 16 years ago the Bermuda Islander schedule was changed moved to Thursdays for its weekly arrival at the request of Bermuda importers who wanted the advantages of a staggered arrival schedule from the Northeast US. “Thursday arrivals meant less congestion on the Hamilton docks and allowed Bermudians to enjoy fresh produce for their weekend shopping,” said BISL.

During the 25th anniversary reception, Bermuda International Shipping Ltd president Steven Petty was quoted as saying: “I would like to thank those who helped the company reach this 25th anniversary, including the staff both at Meyer Freight in Bermuda and Voigt Maritime in New York; Stevedoring Services in Bermuda and Mid Atlantic Stevedores in Salem; the dedicated crew who, when we are tucked in bed on a cold night in February are braving a nasty Atlantic Ocean; our loyal shareholders who remained with us and most importantly our faithful customers who are the reason we are here.”

Dr Edward Harris, executive director of the National Museum of Bermuda, was quoted saying: “As we did in earlier times, we have to take care of the maritime trade into Bermuda, largely by ourselves due to the limited nature of our shipping requirements (compared to continental maritime nations). Bermuda International Shipping Ltd., as a Bermuda company with its Board and shareholders composed of local and international stakeholders, has done an exemplary job in providing a goodly proportion of the shipping services that the Island requires in many fields of work and daily sustenance.

“The National Museum is proud to have been a partner with Bermuda International Shipping Ltd. over its lifetime and is very grateful for the donation given recently to commemorate the quarter-century anniversary. We trust that we can continue to sail together for many more years to come”.

Denise Riviere, CEO of Bermuda Sloop Foundation was also quoted, and she said: “On behalf of Bermuda’s youth, I would like to thank BISL for their gracious donation. It is with support like yours that we are able to continue our “Education and character development voyages’ as a rite of passage for middle school students.

“There have been several young people who have decided to pursue tertiary education and a career in the maritime industry as a result of their involvement with ‘Spirit of Bermuda’. BISL and other companies have been instrumental in providing some cadets with sea time on board their ships which is awesome. So, thank you again for your kind donation and we greatly appreciate you being a part of the ‘village’ that helps us to achieve our mandate of changing lives one voyage at a time.”