US Cargo Ship with 17,000-Ton Capacity Heads to Cuba’s Mariel Port

Cargo Ship Bound for Mariel Signals Growing US-Cuba Trade

A container ship with a capacity of up to 17,000 tons, the SEABOARD GALAXY, departed the port of New Orleans, United States, on March 15, 2026, en route to the Cuban port of Mariel. The vessel is carrying refrigerated food products, typical of Cuba’s purchases from the US, and its arrival is expected on March 17, 2026, at 08:00 UTC-4. This shipment underscores a notable increase in trade between the two nations, a trend gaining momentum despite ongoing political complexities.

The Voyage and Vessel Details

The SEABOARD GALAXY, sailing under the Liberian flag, is 172 meters long and 28 meters wide, currently traveling at 15.1 knots in the Gulf of Mexico, according to marine tracking platforms. Its draft of 8.75 meters is below its maximum capacity of 10.9 meters. The ship is following a true course of 160 degrees, heading south towards Mariel. Cuba’s geographic location, close to major Caribbean and Gulf of America ports, facilitates this trade route. You can track the ship’s current location via marine traffic monitoring platforms.

A Surge in US Exports to Cuba

The cargo arriving in Cuba represents a growing commercial relationship. The total value of US exports to Cuba in 2025 reached $810,776,711, according to data from Economic Eye on Cuba. This figure demonstrates a significant increase in exports, particularly in agricultural and food products.

A substantial portion of these exports – valued at $490 million in 2025 – consists of food and agricultural goods. Key products include frozen chicken legs (33.55% of the total), frozen chicken meat (17.65%), frozen chicken thighs (13.20%), and frozen pork (5.40%). Other notable imports include non-concentrated milk and cream, roasted coffee, chicken meat paste, and rice. Even unusual imports like municipal waste and cosmetics have been recorded.

Since 2023, Cuba has also purchased vehicles and motorcycles totaling $76 million. Cuba’s purchases from the US in 2025 exceeded $93 million, ranking the island as the 44th largest global destination for US exports.

The Role of Cuba’s Private Sector

The increase in trade is largely driven by wholesale purchases made by Cuba’s private sector in the US, facilitated by licenses issued by the US Department of Commerce. This suggests a growing role for private enterprise within the Cuban economy and a willingness to engage with US suppliers. Details were not provided regarding the specific companies involved in these transactions.

Historical Context: The Mariel Port and US-Cuba Relations

The port of Mariel holds a significant place in the history of US-Cuba relations. It was the departure point for the Mariel boatlift of 1980, a mass emigration of Cubans to the United States. Between April and October of that year, approximately 125,000 Cubans and 25,000 Haitians arrived in Florida via Mariel Harbor. The boatlift was triggered by economic hardship in Cuba and followed decades of Cuban immigration to the US. Although initially intended as a humanitarian effort, the event created political challenges for the Carter administration and remains a complex chapter in the relationship between the two countries.

The port itself has undergone significant development in recent years, becoming a key hub for international trade. In 2014, the opening of a new container terminal at Mariel, financed largely by Brazilian investment, aimed to position the port as a major transshipment point for goods traveling between Asia and the Americas. This development, coupled with the recent increase in US exports, highlights Mariel’s growing importance in regional trade networks.

How US-Cuba Trade is Structured

US-Cuba trade operates under a complex set of regulations. While a full embargo remains in place, certain categories of exports are permitted, including food, medicine, and other humanitarian goods. The easing of restrictions under the Obama administration allowed for increased trade and travel, but many of those changes were reversed under subsequent administrations.

Currently, trade is primarily conducted through licenses issued by the US Department of Commerce. These licenses authorize specific transactions and ensure compliance with US regulations. The process involves a rigorous review of applications and ongoing monitoring of trade activity. The specifics of the licensing process and the criteria for approval have not been independently confirmed.

What’s Next for US-Cuba Trade?

The future of US-Cuba trade remains uncertain, heavily influenced by the political climate in both countries. While the current increase in exports is encouraging, This proves subject to potential shifts in US policy. The Biden administration has taken some steps to ease restrictions, but significant barriers to trade remain.

Further easing of the embargo would require Congressional action, a prospect that appears unlikely in the current political environment. However, continued engagement through licensed trade and potential future policy changes could pave the way for a more robust commercial relationship. The ongoing development of the port of Mariel and the growing demand for US goods within Cuba’s private sector suggest a continued, albeit cautious, expansion of trade in the coming years.