As part of a long-term commitment to post-secondary education and youth development, the transportation and logistics company Saltchuk has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) to establish the first Center of Excellence for Transportation and Logistics (CETL) in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. This groundbreaking initiative aims to attract and develop talent focused on the transportation and logistics industry, promoting long-term economic and social development in Puerto Rico.
“We recognized a need to create an opportunity for Puerto Ricans to pursue a graduate degree in Transportation and Logistics within Puerto Rico, and we identified UPRM as the leading institution that can make this happen. The enthusiasm and vision that the team at UPRM has demonstrated made our commitment an easy decision. We look forward to partnering with UPRM for years to come”, said Mark Tabbutt, Chairman of Saltchuk.
The initiative aims to promote new career paths for Puerto Ricans by identifying educational opportunities within the transportation and logistics sector. By fostering the academic and technical preparation of a new generation of leaders and skilled professionals, the CETL will directly tackle the lack of awareness and exposure to transportation and logistics careers and the limited academic specialization in these areas currently offered in Puerto Rico.
“This partnership with Saltchuk represents a historic milestone for the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez. By establishing the first Center of Excellence for Transportation and Logistics, we are creating unparalleled opportunities for our students and faculty to innovate, collaborate, and lead in a vital industry. This initiative highlights our commitment to fostering cutting-edge education and research that directly addresses Puerto Rico’s needs, while also preparing our students for successful careers. Together, we are driving economic and social progress for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean,” said Dr. Agustín Rullán Toro, Chancellor of UPRM.
The CETL will be located inside the Mayagüez campus and is scheduled to begin operations in the upcoming fall academic semester under the leadership of UPRM industrial engineering professor, Dr. Héctor J. Carlo. The CETL will focus on three strategic pillars:
- Develop specialized academic programs, including minors and graduate degrees, as well as internships and hands-on learning opportunities within the transportation and logistics industry.
- Promote research, applied solutions, and technological advancements to address the priorities of Puerto Rico's transportation and logistics sector, including disaster resilience, cold chain logistics, and multimodal transportation.
- Establish strategic industry partnerships to foster collaboration and more extensive engagement between university resources and industry.
“The Center of Excellence for Transportation and Logistics at UPRM exemplifies a significant step in the collaboration between the private sector and academia. I am honored that an industry-leader has decided to strategically invest in UPRM as a mechanism for strengthening Puerto Rico’s transportation and logistics industry. The CETL will enable UPRM students and faculty from diverse academic backgrounds to develop the specialized knowledge and skills required to drive the future of the industry,” said Dr. Héctor Carlo.
With an initial funding of $1 million, Saltchuk has conditionally pledged to contribute $10 million over a 10-year period to support the growth of the CETL, which will serve as a catalyst for Puerto Rico’s long-term talent development in the transportation and logistics sector. The CETL will be backed by an expert industry advisory board overseeing its operations and development opportunities.
Saltchuk’s family of companies have a significant and growing presence in Puerto Rico. TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico transports freight to and from the U.S. mainland on U.S. flag vessels; Tropical Shipping transports freight to and from foreign countries on foreign flag vessels; Aqua Gulf is one of Puerto Rico’s largest asset light logistics companies; StratAir provides air cargo service to and from South Florida throughout the Caribbean; and Puerto Rico Terminals operates the largest, most efficient cargo facility in Puerto Rico – accommodating vessels of all types and sizes.