A major shipping company is closing down operations in both The Bahamas and the U.S., putting at least 12 Bahamians out of work.
Atlantic Caribbean Line (ACL), representing around 120 containers per week into the country, has terminated all operations, effective immediately.
Garth Rolle, the Nassau Port Director for ACL, confirmed that 12 Bahamians in Nassau and Freeport have lost their jobs.
"It's a disappointment," he said.
"The position is the owners decided to pull out of the market. The last call was on Friday. So this is with immediate effect."
The exact motives behind the shutdown are unclear.
"We were given very little information. I can't go beyond what I've said so far," he added.
The shock of ACL's closure is being felt beyond these borders. Rolle said the company's shipping operations in the U.S., based in Fort Pierce, Florida, is also in the midst of a complete shutdown.
ACL, founded in 1965, operates a fleet of five container ships. The Florida office has similar staff complement to The Bahamas.

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