A Bermuda-registered company is awaiting a decision to begin offering a humanitarian ferry service between Cuba and the US, according to the Tampa Tribune.

Yucatan Express has submitted a proposal to the US Treasury Department to ship relatives of Cuban citizens to the country.

While the cost of the Tuesday-through-Thursday round trip would cost $499, the company said it would not charge its passengers for transporting cargo such as food and clothing.

The 20-hour passage would include a cabin.

As he acknowledged it would be difficult for the company to earn a profit from the venture, Matthew Hudson, chairman of Yucatan Express said: "This effort is one of respect for families in Cuba."

While the US government has imposed an embargo on the Communist country, it does allow humanitarian such as food, to be shipped to Cuba.

However, because Yucatan Express was incorporated in Bermuda and the ferry, the M/S Scotia Prince, is flagged in the Bahamas, its owners believe it is not subject to US laws regarding Cuba.

While the Treasury controls commerce between the two countries, travellers to Cuba must be licensed by the US Government.

Yucatan Express already offers once-a week ferry service from Tampa, Florida to Yucatan, Mexico

Rob Nichols, a US Treasury Department spokesman, did not give a time frame for deciding on the proposal.