Puerto Rico has become the transportation center of the Caribbean because of its dominant position in
regional trade, its developed industrial and service economy and its heavy passenger and cargo traffic with
the U.S. mainland. About 40 independent shipping lines provide regular transport services to nearly 80
domestic and foreign ports.
Average sailing time from Puerto Rico is as little as 2-1/2 days to New York,
3-to-4 days to other North Atlantic and Gulf Ports, and 10 days to the West Coast. It's just 14 days to
Europe, via large modern vessels sailing on a direct route. Because shipments to and from the U.S. mainland
are domestic, no special documentation or paperwork is required.
