Aqua Gulf Transport, Inc.

What Aqua Gulf Transport, Inc. does

Aqua Gulf Transport, Inc. is a private, asset-based third-party logistics provider founded in 1966 in Staten Island, NY by Robert J. Browne (Bobby Browne) and now headquartered at 1301 West Newport Center Drive, Deerfield Beach, FL. The company self-identifies as the #1 shipper to Puerto Rico and the #1 third-party logistics provider in the Puerto Rico trade, with operations spanning the United States, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and international routes to Asia and the broader Caribbean Basin via partnerships with all major ocean lines. As of January 1, 2025, Aqua Gulf operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of TOTE Group within the newly formed TOTE Logistics business unit.

The company's core offering combines owned trucks, equipment, container yards, and warehouses at key ports (JAXPORT, Port of NY/NJ, Pennsauken, Miami, Puerto Rico, and Dominican Republic). Service brands include Aqua Gulf Xpress (trucking/drayage), Aqua Gulf Warehousing (442,000 sqft dry plus 375,000 cuft reefer near JAXPORT), Aqua Gulf Logistics (cargo management), Aqua Gulf FreightShare (brokerage), AGNEX NorthEast Express (Northeast-to-PR expedited shipping), Wine Xpress (specialized wine logistics from Napa Valley), US Customs Brokerage, and Foreign Trade Zone services. Technology surface is anchored by the myAQUAGULF customer service portal connecting customers to operations for en-route tracking, plus integrated C-TPAT and SmartWay compliance. Operational performance metrics highlighted include a 0.04% claims ratio (claimed industry-lowest) and a 0.149% Jacksonville location ratio under VP Raúl W. Martinez.

Aqua Gulf's business model is built on transaction-fee freight services (ocean, trucking, LCL/LTL, AGNEX, Wine Xpress) complemented by managed-services warehousing and FTZ/bonded offerings, plus professional-services customs brokerage. Pricing is quote-based across all services, accessed via [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected] with no publicly disclosed tiers. The GTM motion is enterprise field sales targeting businesses shipping to and from Puerto Rico, Caribbean Basin, Northeast US importers, and wine/beverage shippers, leveraging a sales-led and customer-service-driven approach plus industry-association channels (ATA, Intermodal Association of North America, TIA, Propeller Club). The firm holds C-TPAT and SmartWay Transport Partnership certifications. Since acquisition, the company operates under the TOTE Logistics umbrella alongside Carlile, Naniq Global Logistics, and Shoreside Logistics, with TOTE Group COO Mike Noone serving as President of TOTE Logistics and Christopher Willman serving as President of Aqua Gulf.

Name

Aqua Gulf Transport, Inc.

Legal name

Aqua Gulf Transport, Inc.

Website

https://aquagulf.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Aqua Gulf Transport, Inc. is an asset-based third-party logistics provider specializing in ocean freight, trucking, warehousing, and customs brokerage for businesses shipping to and from Puerto Rico, the Caribbean Basin, and select international destinations. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TOTE Group since January 1, 2025.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Logistics Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Marine Cargo Handling (48832)

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Ocean Export Forwarding (Booking/VGM/SI/BL) (TLACABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ocean Import Forwarding (Destination Handling/DO/ISF) (TLACABAE), Customs Brokerage for Ocean Shipments (Import/Export Clearance) (TLACABAG), LCL (Less-than-Container Load) Consolidation/Deconsolidation (TLACABAB), Trade Compliance & Ocean Regulatory Services (Sanctions/Export Controls) (TLACABAL), Refrigerated Ocean Shipping (Reefer Containers & Specialized Reefer Vessels) (TLADAHAD)

Keywords

• Ocean freight services
• Trucking drayage
• Refrigerated warehousing
• Customs brokerage
• LCL consolidation

Headquarters

HQ city

Deerfield Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ocean Freight Services: Ocean transportation services to Puerto Rico and international destinations. Asset-based business with owned container yards at key ports and partnerships with major ocean lines.
2. Trucking and Drayage: Domestic trucking services through Aqua Gulf Xpress division. Services out of Port of NY/NJ, Pennsauken, NJ and Jacksonville, FL. US Customs carrier with company drivers and independent contractors.
3. Warehousing and Storage: Dry and refrigerated warehousing with 442,000 sqft dry warehousing near JAXPORT, 375,000 cuft refrigerated/chilled/frozen capacity, 15,000+ pallet positions. Includes FTZ and bonded services.
4. LCL/LTL Services: Less than container load and less than truckload services with consolidation points in US to PR. Dry and refrigerated cargo handling.
5. Customs Brokerage: Licensed customs brokerage with national permit providing customs consulting, FTZ services, and international freight forwarding as Ocean Transportation Intermediary.
6. Wine Xpress: Specialized wine logistics service with weekly pickups from Napa Valley, thermal blanket protection, door-to-door service, and origin consolidation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Aqua Gulf Transport is an asset-based third-party logistics provider that moves cargo between the U.S., Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and the broader Caribbean Basin. The company offers ocean freight, trucking/drayage, LCL/LTL consolidation, dry and refrigerated warehousing with Foreign Trade Zone capabilities, customs brokerage, and specialized services such as AGNEX NorthEast Express and Wine Xpress.

Product overview

Aqua Gulf Transport, Inc. is a third-party logistics provider offering a comprehensive suite of logistics and supply chain solutions. The company operates multiple integrated sub-brands: Aqua Gulf Transport (core ocean freight), Aqua Gulf Xpress (trucking/drayage), Aqua Gulf Warehousing (dry and refrigerated storage with FTZ capabilities), Aqua Gulf Logistics (cargo management optimization), Aqua Gulf FreightShare (freight brokerage), plus specialized services including AGNEX (NorthEast Express), Wine Xpress, US Customs Brokerage, and Foreign Trade Zone services. The company positions itself as the #1 logistics provider to the Caribbean with reach extending to global markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aqua Gulf Xpress: Trucking division of Aqua Gulf providing drayage and brokerage services
• AGNEX (NorthEast Express)
• Wine Xpress
• Aqua Gulf Warehousing

Products and services

• Aqua Gulf Transport (Ocean Freight)
• Aqua Gulf Xpress (Trucking & Drayage)
• Aqua Gulf Warehousing (AGW)
• Aqua Gulf Logistics
• Aqua Gulf FreightShare
• AGNEX NorthEast Express
• Wine Xpress
• Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) Services
• US Customs Brokerage
• LCL/LTL Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Lowest claims ratio in the industry at 0.04%
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• All Major Ocean Lines to Puerto RicocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAqua Gulf has long-standing relationships with the major ocean lines to Puerto Rico. These partnerships, combined with their leading volume, enable them to offer the most flexible schedule and highly competitive rates. Aqua Gulf can offer any type of equipment including 20/40/45/48/53 containers, insulated, reefers, flat racks, flat beds, step decks.
• Leading Ocean Carriers (Global)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorldwide reach through global contracts with leading ocean carriers for international logistics services beyond Puerto Rico to Caribbean Basin and Asian routes.
• TOTE Group / TOTE LogisticsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired by TOTE Group effective January 1, 2025. Aqua Gulf joins TOTE Logistics alongside Carlile, Naniq Global Logistics, and Shoreside Logistics. Mike Noone, TOTE Group COO, becomes President of TOTE Logistics overseeing expanded logistics portfolio across Hawaii, Alaska, mainland, and Puerto Rico.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Regional players

• King Ocean Services: Caribbean-focused ocean carrier providing services between the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Caribbean islands. Comparable to Aqua Gulf's Caribbean lane focus, though King Ocean is primarily a vessel operator rather than integrated 3PL.

Direct peers

• Tropical Shipping: Ocean carrier and logistics provider serving the Caribbean Basin including Puerto Rico, with intermodal and warehousing capabilities. Comparable to Aqua Gulf in market and service mix, with similar asset-based positioning in Caribbean trade.
• Crowley Maritime (Crowley Logistics): Large U.S.-based ocean freight and logistics operator with a dedicated Puerto Rico/Caribbean service offering including ocean, trucking, and warehousing. Directly comparable to Aqua Gulf as a multi-modal 3PL competing in the same PR trade lanes with similar asset-based model.
• Trailer Bridge: Asset-based ocean carrier and logistics provider specializing in U.S. to Puerto Rico and Caribbean trade with integrated trucking and warehousing. Closely comparable to Aqua Gulf given shared focus on PR lanes, equipment diversity, and door-to-door service model.
• Naniq Global Logistics: TOTE Group sibling company providing logistics, drayage, and freight management across Alaska and the U.S. mainland. Comparable as a multi-modal 3PL now part of the same TOTE Logistics portfolio, sharing customers and back-office integration opportunities.
• Carlile Transportation: TOTE Group sibling providing trucking, warehousing, and logistics services primarily in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Comparable to Aqua Gulf's trucking and warehousing divisions under the new TOTE Logistics umbrella.
• Sea Star Line: Ocean carrier historically dedicated to the Puerto Rico trade with intermodal capabilities, comparable to Aqua Gulf's core lane focus. Now part of TOTE Maritime, it represents both a peer and a sister asset within the same corporate umbrella.
• Shoreside Logistics: TOTE Group logistics entity providing port logistics, terminal, and freight services. Comparable as a sibling logistics provider under TOTE Logistics, overlapping in port-centric service capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• J.B. Hunt Transport Services: Large U.S. intermodal, trucking, and dedicated logistics provider with nationwide scale. Comparable to Aqua Gulf's LTL/FTL brokerage and intermodal exposure through FreightShare, though much broader in geographic scope.
• TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico: Jones Act ocean carrier operating dedicated U.S. to Puerto Rico services as part of TOTE Group, now Aqua Gulf's corporate parent. Comparable through shared PR lane focus and customer base, though TOTE Maritime operates vessels rather than acting primarily as a 3PL.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aquagulf
• Facebookfacebook.com/aquagulf.inc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aqua-gulf-transport

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aqua Gulf Transport, Inc.