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VI now boasts Caribbean’s largest locally owned shipping carrier ‘Midnight Czar’

‘Midnight Czar’ is an impressive 300 ft long and “will enhance the Company’s fleet with her 314 TEU capacity above and below deck, in addition to her ability to sail worldwide..." Photo: Provided
 VI now boasts Caribbean’s largest locally owned shipping carrier ‘Midnight Czar.’ Photo: Provided
VI now boasts Caribbean’s largest locally owned shipping carrier ‘Midnight Czar.’ Photo: Provided
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - The Virgin Islands (VI)—in addition to being called the sailing capital of the world—is now home to the largest, locally owned shipping vessel in the Caribbean region.

The vessel was acquired by EZ Shipping, a locally owned company. Announcing its arrival in the Territory, EZ Shipping in a public statement said its ‘Midnight Czar’ is an impressive 300 ft long and with 2,982 GT storage capacity, “will enhance the Company’s fleet with her 314 TEU capacity above and below deck, in addition to her ability to sail worldwide having previously operated in Europe, Africa, South America, the Caribbean and USA,”

According to the EZ Shipping, the ‘Midnight Czar’ is ‘ABS classed,’ which affords the vessel many “benefits, due to its rigorous and demanding requirements associated with maintaining the technical and safety standards for the construction and operation of ships.”

Expanded Routes

EZ Shipping’s owner, Mr Clyde K. Chalwell, in making the announcement said, “It was an important decision to make, to continue to maintain the vessel’s class.”

Having just completed dry dock for an extended special class survey, ‘Midnight Czar’ was quoted as being “in excellent condition, with decades of trading ahead,” by the attending ABS Surveyor. According to Mr Chalwell, “the decision to upgrade our fleet with a new vessel is never taken lightly and is determined by many factors but moreover by the growing demand in the region for imported cargo.”

He said, presently, “through our partners—Crowley Liner Services—we provide a weekly service to 15 dedicated routes throughout the northern Caribbean and with the addition of MV Midnight Czar, we can now expand our routes with increased capacity, further growing the market by opening up new shipping lanes whilst increasing the efficiency of transit time.”

Russian for King

Explaining the meaning and inspiration behind the vessel’s unusual name, owner Mr Chalwell said, “I have been asked this question many, many times in the last five months…Czar is the Russian word for King and is the nickname I have called my youngest son since he was a toddler; I promised him, if I purchased another vessel, I would name it after him. He is very proud now!”

 EZ Shipping has been serving VI since 2005 bringing over 100 years of combined shipping experience “whilst making history with our continued regional growth."

16 Responses to “VI now boasts Caribbean’s largest locally owned shipping carrier ‘Midnight Czar’”

  • 123 (13/06/2018, 11:47) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    welcome and the timing is good
    • Just saying (13/06/2018, 19:16) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
      Yea but prices tooo high. $2,400 to ship a car from all the way Miami and from right there St. Kitts it is almost $1,300.00.
      • Always looking handouts (14/06/2018, 16:00) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
        Then buy your car from st. kitty if you can’t afford to ship it from Miami simple as that.
        • or (15/06/2018, 06:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
          Use another shipper. Sounds like a classic BVI deal. Locals bring new service to town and think they can charge whatever they want.
  • Salute (13/06/2018, 11:54) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is awesome, congrats Mr Chalwell, God’s continued blessings.
  • You large (13/06/2018, 12:59) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Progress we still here
  • quote thief (13/06/2018, 13:05) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Will this mean a reduction in costs or an increase? Congrats but we need relief from these astronomical shipping costs!!
  • Burton Smith (13/06/2018, 14:40) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    That is a Great Picture.
  • watcher (13/06/2018, 14:50) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    good move Local people on the move
  • vex (13/06/2018, 15:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good to go
  • long look me come from (13/06/2018, 17:52) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    We will support you, as clyde is a good man
  • Thankful (13/06/2018, 23:34) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good Customer Service! I will never forget how Sean and his crew fought for us on the port to get our cargo out after the hurricanes. They won me over as I felt they really cared.

    Congratulations
  • guy hill (14/06/2018, 03:12) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Always continue to do your very best.
  • Shipping Capitol (14/06/2018, 12:54) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Does this mean the the BVI is now the shipping capitol of the carribean? Most of the Caribbean depending on little Tortola to deliver? Rate should be going down here and up everywhere else. Local discount? Just saying Clyde?


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