New call to open up ferry services to Cuba

A company that is “ready and willing” to offer ferry service to Cuba is protesting the preferential treatment being given air carriers in carrying U.S. passengers to Cuba. At present no ferry service is authorized to Cuba, even  U.S. law permits it.

In contrast, eight new U.S. airports  -  in addition to Miami  -  have been authorized to provide air service to Cuba.

This “highlights the preferential treatment given air over ocean passenger service,” says Daniel Berrebi, Chairman of United Americas Shipping Services, Inc.

“There is a need and a desire for a ferry service to Cuba and it is fundamental to this country’s values that people be allowed that choice and that the government does not favor one element of the transportation industry over another,” he says.

Nearly a year ago Mr. Berrebi’s company filed for a Treasury Department license to operate a ferry service from South Florida to Havana. No decision has been made on the application, but it is clear that the Treasury Department is authorized to issue licenses for a ferry service under the current rules that authorize both “vessels” and aircraft to provide carrier services to Cuba.

“All that is required for it to happen is a policy decision by the Obama administration in favor of ferry service,” said Robert Muse, a Washington, D.C. lawyer who specializes in U.S. laws relating to Cuba.

UASS’ President Joseph Hinson says there are four good reasons for the U.S. government to license ferry service to Cuba: “It is significantly cheaper, it is more comfortable and pleasurable, it is a preferable form of travel for the elderly, the infirm and family groups. Also, a ferry service is a vastly cheaper way for people to bring supplies authorized by U.S. law to relatives in Cuba.”

Miami-based UASS is an ocean transport company offering a wide range of shipping services through its corporate group that includes Baja Ferries, which operates passenger ferry lines in Mexico. Its affiliate American Cruise Ferries has recently invested $65 million in reinstituting ferry service this month between San Juan, Puerto Rico and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

March 23, 2011