Merchants Fleet Expands FleetShare Programme to Puerto Rico with 113-Vehicle Deployment

## Merchants Fleet Brings FleetShare to Puerto Rico Merchants Fleet has expanded its FleetShare vehicle-sharing programme to Puerto Rico, deploying 113 vehicles on the island as of 14 September in partnership with an unnamed global e-commerce company, according to FreightWaves. The rollout represents a notable development for last-mile logistics infrastructure in Puerto Rico, a market that presents distinct supply chain challenges given its island geography and dependence on maritime freight connections to the continental United States. Contract terms and pricing were not disclosed by the company. ### FleetShare and the Island Logistics Context FleetShare is Merchants Fleet's vehicle-as-a-service offering, designed to provide companies with flexible, scalable fleet access without the capital burden of outright vehicle ownership. The model has gained traction among e-commerce and delivery operators seeking to manage fluctuating demand cycles — a particularly relevant consideration in island markets where import logistics can create inventory and operational variability. Puerto Rico's logistics sector relies heavily on container shipping services connecting the island to mainland US ports, primarily through carriers operating under the Jones Act, which mandates the use of US-flagged vessels for domestic maritime trade. Ground-level fleet operations on the island therefore sit at the final stage of a supply chain that is inherently maritime in character, making efficient last-mile vehicle deployment a critical component of overall logistics performance. ### E-Commerce Demand Driving Fleet Expansion While the client was not identified, the scale of the deployment — 113 vehicles launched simultaneously — suggests a substantial operational commitment from a major e-commerce player looking to strengthen its Puerto Rico distribution capabilities. The island's consumer market has seen sustained growth in online retail adoption, increasing pressure on delivery networks to expand capacity and reliability. Merchants Fleet has not indicated whether further expansion within Puerto Rico or to other island or offshore markets is planned, but the move signals growing commercial interest in applying flexible fleet models to non-continental US logistics environments. *Source: FreightWaves*