A visible sign of the island’s booming summer can been seen weekly as freight-carrying ships arrive with containers piled higher than usual.

The America’s Cup and the accompanying plethora of visiting superyachts, the tall ships’ visit, and the arrival of the Marion Bermuda Race next week, have created heightened demand for equipment, supplies, and particularly fresh food.

There has also been a general increase in local demand for imported items.

Ahead of the America’s Cup and the other summer sailing regattas, wholesale retailers estimated they would need to bring in an extra 20 per cent of fresh food during the period surrounding the America’s Cup.

Bermuda’s three shipping companies have been tasked with fulfilling the transportation logistics needed to meet the extra demands.

Things have gone well, according to Barry Brewer, chief executive officer of Bermuda Container Line.

He said it had been a multi-stage challenge, which started with the transporting of equipment and supplies for the America’s Cup Village and the teams competing in the contest.

BCL operates the MV Oleander between Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, and Bermuda. Its roll-on, roll-off capabilities helped with the moving of some of the bulkier freight, such as chase boats and a helicopter.

The Oleander is also able to carry cars and other vehicles, which has proved advantageous during the temporary ban on car transporter ships entering Hamilton Harbour during this month’s America’s Cup.

“The question now is less about getting equipment and the teams here, and more about servicing the people here,” said Mr Brewer.

Planning started many months ago and included discussions between the shipping companies and the island’s food distributors.

“The wholesalers were expecting a 20 per cent increase in consumption of fresh food,” said Mr Brewer.

That meant ensuring additional refrigerated containers were available to transport the extra produce. BCL has seen a 20 per cent increase in cargo volume on its weekly sailings.

“There was a real uptick in activity locally in the lead up to the America’s Cup,” said Mr Brewer. Infrastructure projects, and residents fixing up their homes were the likely reasons for the boost to first and second quarter figures.

Now the summer tourism season, which this year has been augmented by a higher number of visiting superyachts, is set to keep things busy for the near future.

Mr Brewer said the busier period was welcome after the “prolonged period of suppressed demand” during recent years.

Elsewhere, Bermuda International Shipping Ltd, which operates the Bermuda Islander, and Somers Isles Shipping Ltd, operator of Somers Isles, have also been busy.

George Butterfield, manager of Meyer Freight, which acts as agents for the two shipping companies, said: “BISL and SISL are experiencing a modest increase n cargo. Both lines are continuing to provide great service to all their customers during this period.”

While Mr Brewer paid tribute to the BCL team and the efforts of people across the island who have worked to ensure Bermuda can handle the busy spell.

“We are very pleased with how capable we have been to handle things, and working with customers to make sure we could do it,” he said.

“It has been encouraging. Bermuda has really stepped up, and I’m very proud of this little country.”