Cargo Business Techwire

Friday, May 15, 2015

Crowley disputes Trailer Bridge’s patent infringement claim

Trailer Bridge has filed suit in the U.S. District Court in San Juan, alleging Crowley Liner Services infringed on its patented method of using reach stackers to load and discharge flat-deck barges from the side.

According to the filing, Crowley began using reach stackers for side loading of flat-deck barges after being warned this would infringe on Trailer Bridge’s patent. The lawsuit seeks damages and an injunction requiring Crowley to quit using the reach stackers.

Crowley said Trailer Bridge’s allegations were

"suspicious" and said it would continue to use the equipment to load and discharge flat-deck barges in the Puerto Rico trade.

Crowley and Sea Star Lines are building ships that will fill in added capacity after Horizon Lines’ departure from the U.S. mainland-Puerto Rico trade, and in the meantime are using container-hauling barges to augment capacity on their existing vessels.

For more of the Caribbean Business story: www.caribbeanbusinesspr.com