K Line and Ports America reach deal on strategic partnership

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (K Line) recently announced that K Line and Ports America have agreed to form a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing and expanding K Line's container terminal business.

International Transportation Service, Inc. (ITS) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of K Line and has operated container terminals in Long Beach and Tacoma for more than 40 years. ITS was the pioneer in providing on-dock double-stack rail services to its customers, which enable them to have direct delivery across North America, especially to inland delivery points in the mid-west. The partnership with Ports America, which operates terminals throughout the U.S., will further enhance K Line's terminals with high operating standards, improved efficiency, quality service and cost competitiveness. This will enable ITS to handle ultra-large containerships and continuously support K Line's transpacific service.

K Line has maintained a good relationship with Ports America, the largest terminal operator and stevedoring company in the United States. Ports America provides stevedoring services to K Line in Oakland for containerships and in Jacksonville, Newark, Brunswick and Charleston for car carriers.

With this transfer of a partial stake in ITS to Ports America, ITS will be well positioned to meet its core objectives and to ensure a successful strategic partnership between K Line and Ports America.

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