Bermuda Container Line provides an ocean freight service linking Bermuda with the world. It operates a weekly service between Port Elizabeth, New Jersey and Hamilton, Bermuda with the vessel M.V. Oleander.  Through an associated company, Somers Isles Shipping Ltd., it also operates a three time per month service between Fernandina Beach, Florida and Hamilton. BCL maintains a wide ranging network of agents throughout North America to allow it to provide full container load intermodal services between Bermuda and all key centers on the North American continent. Through connecting carrier agreements with a number of major shipping lines, BCL connects Bermuda with the rest of the world. BCL is managed by Container Ship Management Ltd. who are also the Bermudian agents for the line. The North American General Agents for BCL are Bermuda Agencies Ltd.

Bermuda Container Line Ltd. has been in operation, and providing its weekly service from Port Elizabeth, since 1979.  The company has over 500 shareholders and a Board of Directors numbering thirteen. BCL owns the container RO/RO vessel M.V. Oleander and a wholly owned subsidiary, Bermuda Agencies in the United States.

BCL's ship, the Oleander, was built in 1990 in Holland to the lines own specification.  It is a combination container and roll-on/roll-off vessel capable of carrying 360 TEU as well as 44 cars in an enclosed garage area.  The Oleander has electrical plugs and generating capacity to allow it to carry 88 refrigerated containers.  The enclosed garage area has hoistable car decks which allow it to carry large roll-on/roll-off cargo in the enclosed area as well as such cargo on deck in front of the vessel's superstructure.

In addition to a fleet of standard dry and refrigerated containers, BCL has a fleet of more specialized equipment including:

• Flat racks

• Bulk and tank containers

• Mafis and road trailer for non-containerized cargo

• Specialized containers for the carriage of livestock

The BCL service from Port Elizabeth to Bermuda is the fastest and most efficient shipping service available to the island.  It departs from Port Elizabeth early on Friday evenings and arrives in Bermuda late Sunday afternoon for discharge of cargo on Sunday evening.  Importers can pick up their cargo starting at 6:00 a.m. Monday mornings.