Investing in the Assets Behind Our Puerto Rico Service

For more than 30 years, Trailer Bridge’s vessels have served as a critical link between Jacksonville and San Juan, carrying the goods, equipment and vehicles that businesses and communities across Puerto Rico rely on every day.

In 2026, Trailer Bridge has continued investing in the physical assets behind that service as part of a broader strategy focused on strengthening operations, enhancing the customer experience and preparing its fleet to serve the trade for years to come.

The company invested nearly $9 million in scheduled dry dockings of its two Roll-on/Roll-off vessels, completing significant steel repairs designed to support the longevity of the assets and installing onboard generator systems to increase reefer capacity and provide additional support for maintaining required temperatures throughout the sailing.

“Investing in our assets is about much more than maintaining the vessels we have today. It’s about making sure our entire fleet is equipped to meet the evolving needs of our customers and this trade for years to come,” said Tony Kvasnicka, Chief Operating Officer at Trailer Bridge. “From the structural integrity of our vessels to the technology onboard, we’re making deliberate investments that strengthen how we operate, protect the cargo entrusted to us and give our customers confidence in the service we provide.” 

Trailer Bridge’s 2026 investments also include the installation of new onboard camera technology across its vessel fleet, providing greater visibility and situational awareness while cargo is in transit.

The technology provides a live view of activity aboard and around each barge while under tow, with capabilities to detect voices and vessels approaching the asset. This gives Trailer Bridge access to real-time information that can be shared with authorities when necessary and provides another layer of visibility supporting the company’s commercial customers and military partners.

The fleetwide camera investment is one of several projects being finalized aboard the Shugart Bridge. The Lo/Lo vessel, which is currently operating in Trailer Bridge’s Puerto Rico service, will remain at the company’s Jacksonville terminal from Sept. 24 through Oct. 8 for a planned maintenance period.

During that time, crews will complete final maintenance and adjustments to the vessel’s camera system along with additional modifications to the barge designed to support a broader variety of cargo. The Shugart Bridge is scheduled to resume sailing Oct. 9.

The work taking place across Trailer Bridge’s fleet is one part of a larger investment strategy centered on strengthening the company’s Jones Act service between Jacksonville and San Juan.

In August, Trailer Bridge announced a new 10-year partnership with Ports America as its long-term operational partner at the company’s Jacksonville terminal. In addition to stevedoring operations, the partnership will bring Ports America’s Dockworks terminal operating technology to Trailer Bridge, supporting greater connectivity and visibility for customers as the platform is introduced.

The company also realigned its executive leadership team in August, naming Tony Kvasnicka Chief Operating Officer with responsibility for Trailer Bridge’s asset-based operations and Whitney Ennis President of Ocean, overseeing customer experience, pricing and marketing.

The leadership structure brings increased focus to both sides of the customer experience: strengthening the operation that delivers the service and the teams responsible for ensuring Trailer Bridge continues to understand and respond to the needs of its customers.

Together, these investments reflect a deliberate focus on the assets, technology, partnerships and people behind Trailer Bridge’s Puerto Rico service.