Port of Wilmington

A delegation of officials from Delaware in the US is set to head to Santiago in Chile, with the aim of strengthening trade bonds between the country and the Port of Wilmington.

Led by Governor Jack Markell, the delegation will sign an agreement – along with Francisco Labarca of Pacific Seaways – to extend the relationship between Chile and the port, with fruit continuing to move through Wilmington until mid-2014.

In addition, the delegation will look to meet with members of the business community and senior officials to raise further interest in Wilmington as a gateway to the US market.

Markell made the visit announcement at the introduction of the Port of Wilmington's latest addition, rapid-cool chambers designed to slow the ripening process and extend the life of fruit being stored at the port, Newsworks reported.

Wilmington serves as a major gateway for Chilean fruit, with produce such as table grapes, berries, stonefruit and kiwifruit shipped to the port.