The shipment, consisting of 500 tons of containerized frozen chicken, was the first by Crowley for Alimport, the Cuban agency involved in purchasing food products for Cuba. Alimport, also known as Empresa Cubana Importadora de Alimentos, has purchased nearly $30 million worth of food from U.S. companies to provide relief to Cubans impacted by Hurricane Michelle, which caused widespread damage when it passed over the island Nov. 4.

"We were pleased to have had the opportunity to participate in this historic transaction and to be the first U.S. company to resume shipments directly from the U.S. to Cuba," says Tom Crowley, Jr., the president, CEO and chairman of the company. "Although nothing is assured, we are hopeful that these initial direct shipments of poultry from the U.S. to Cuba will result in ongoing direct vessel service for licensed cargo."

The opportunity to participate in the trade was made possible by the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000, which was signed into law on Oct. 28, 2000 by then-President Clinton.