The Obama administration has taken another step forward in its efforts to normalize relations with Cuba by restoring commercial ferry services between the former Cold War rivals.
The U.S. Treasury Department has issued licenses to at least four companies to ferry passengers and cargo along the 150 kilometer route from the southern tip of Florida to Havana. Three of the companies are based in Florida.
In a related story, U.S.-based airliner Jet Blue announced Tuesday it would provide charter flights between New York City and Havana beginning in July.
Ferry service between the U.S. and Cuba was commonplace in the years before the 1959 communist revolution.