The Port of Wilmington has, for the eighth consecutive season, received the first breakbulk shipment of Chilean winter fruit to arrive in the US.
The m/v Green Italia, a specialised refrigerated vessel operated by Trans Global Shipping NV in the Global Reefers service, arrived on Monday 18 December at the Delaware-based perishable cargo facility.
Over 290,000 boxes of fresh cherries, blueberries, apricots, peaches, nectarines and table grapes was discharged by the vessel.
During this season, the port is anticipating that it will receive at least 25 shiploads of fruit from the Chilean ports of Valparaiso, Coquimbo, and Caldera.
“We are privileged, to once again serve our customers and trade partners in support of the timely distribution of the freshest available fruit to North American Consumers,” said Gene Bailey, the port’s executive director.
Harold Cohen, Global Reefers port captain/USA representative added: “Wilmington has been a great partner for us – our destination and, as such, critical not only to our group but to our customers. We are looking forward to another successful season.”
The cargo is stored in the port’s 800,000 square-foot on-dock refrigerated warehouse complex, one of North America’s largest, before distribution throughout Canada and the eastern region of the US.
The port handled over 14m boxes of Chilean fruit in the 2016/17 season.
