History
Innovation in freight transportation is the hallmark of Trailer Bridge. Building a transportation system that links land and sea together into a single-carrier network is at the core of our company, and is the brainchild of transportation legend, and our founder, Malcom P. Mclean.
Universally recognized as the “Father of Containerization,” Malcom P. McLean was honored by Forbes Magazine as one of the ten outstanding innovators of the twentieth century. He has also been described as “one of the few men who changed the world.”
What began in the 1950’s as Mr. McLean’s vision to create a better way to move freight would later revolutionize the shipping industry. He would further build upon this vision in 1991 when he founded Trailer Bridge.
The spirit of innovation from which Trailer Bridge was forged remains the guiding principle of our company. This entrepreneurial initiative, along with the dedicated support of each and every Trailer Bridge employee, allows Trailer Bridge to continue to improve and build upon the best freight system connecting the U.S. with Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
April 1991 – Trailer Bridge founded by transportation pioneer Malcom P. McLean
February 5, 1992 – Inaugural voyage from Jacksonville, FL, to San Juan, PR, capacity 266 x 48-foot trailers
December 1995 – Trailer Bridge makes plans to “stretch” two existing Ro/Ro vessels in order to meet growing demand from its customers
March 1996 – Orders 600 additional 48-foot trailers
May 9, 1996 – Takes delivery of “World’s Largest Trailer Barge” increasing capacity by over 50% to 405 x 48 & 53-foot units
July 23, 1997 – Trailer Bridge becomes publicly traded company on NASDAQ: TRBR
August 1, 1997 – Trailer Bridge moves into newly built Corporate Headquarters in Jacksonville, FL
January 21, 1998 – Maiden voyage of CHICAGO BRIDGE, first of five new Triplestack Box Carrier® (TBC®) vessels
April 22, 1998 – Maiden voyage of CHARLOTTE BRIDGE, now offering two sailings per week between Jacksonville, FL, and San Juan, PR
September 1, 1998 – Vehicle Transport Module® (VTM®), a Trailer Bridge invention for the carriage of automobiles, debuted in Detroit, MI, at Auto-Tech ’98
November 16, 1998 – Trailer Bridge achieves ISO 9001:2000 certification
May 5, 2000 – Trailer Bridge joins EPA’s Climate Wise Program
June 20, 2000 – Trailer Bridge unveils Internet Shipment Tracking
July 23, 2001 – Second generation VTM® for domestic transportation of new automobiles
February 5, 2002 – Ten-Year Anniversary of Inaugural Voyage
July 2002 – Trailer Bridge awarded patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for Vehicle Transport Module® (VTM®)
January 2003 – Trailer Bridge awarded patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the method of loading and unloading of vehicles with its patented Vehicle Transport Module® (VTM®)
October 2003 – Trailer Bridge accepted as a certified member of the U.S. Customs Service’s Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)
May 2005 – Trailer Bridge awarded third and fourth patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the method of loading and unloading of vehicles with its patented Vehicle Transport Module® (VTM®)
December 2004 – Trailer Bridge purchases 100% of the stock of Kadampanattu Corp. (“K. Corp.”), which owns the two 736’, triple-deck roll-on, roll-off barges with a capacity equivalent to 405 x 53’ trailer units, which are used in the Company’s Puerto Rico liner service
April 2006 – Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Containerization by founder Malcom P. McLean
December 2006 – Trailer Bridge joins the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWaySM Transport Partnership, an innovative voluntary collaboration between the EPA and the freight industry designed to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution
February 5, 2007 – Fifteen-Year Anniversary of Inaugural Voyage
August 13, 2007 – Trailer Bridge initiates service and introduces its unique 53-foot transportation system to the Dominican Republic with the maiden voyage of the BROOKLYN BRIDGE
November 2007 - Trailer Bridge is awarded a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to cover the unique method of loading and unloading its Triplestack Box Carrier® (TBC®) vessels
October 2008 – Trailer Bridge receives an Environmental Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SmartWaySM Transport Partnership for its leadership in conserving energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions from its transportation and freight activities
January 20, 2010 – Trailer Bridge initiates weekly service between Jacksonville, FL, and Puerto Plata, DR
April 2010 – Trailer Bridge switches over to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel for use in the ocean going tugs used in its liner service between the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.