Spanish Ferry Company Wins Licenses for U.S.-Cuba Service

MADRID, July 17 (Reuters) – Spanish ferry firm Balearia mentioned on Friday it has been granted U.S. licenses to function a passenger service between Cuba and the United States, although it’s ready on remaining clearance from Cuban authorities.

“With the two (U.S.) licences, we’re are closer than ever to be able to be the first to join Cuba with the United States by sea,” Balearia Chairman Adolfo Utor mentioned in a press release.

No such companies have run because the United States imposed a commerce embargo on Cuba in 1960.

Since Washington introduced the restoration of diplomatic ties with Havana final December, the treasury division has additionally issued ferry licenses to not less than two U.S. corporations.

Trips to Cuba from Spain by authorities officers and enterprise leaders have jumped this 12 months as Spain rushes to profit from what’s changing into a extra open financial system on the Caribbean island.

Balearia has run a route from Florida’s Fort Lauderdale and Freeport within the Bahamas since 2011 whereas in Spain it operates ferries to the Balearic Islands and within the Straits of Gibraltar. (Reporting by Robert Hetz; Writing by Paul Day; modifying by John Stonestreet)

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