Dole Food Company is reportedly considering moving its US shipping operations to the Port of Hueneme when its lease at the Port of San Diego expires in December 2012.
The fresh fruit company is in negotiations with both ports, looking at the service and terms, as well as the physical facilities each can offer, according to Dole spokesman Marty Ordman and reported by Ventura County Star.
Pete Wallace, deputy executive director for maritime services at the Port of Hueneme, said a new company would be an economic benefit to the port.
“Anytime we’re looking at a new piece of business, it’s going to be a benefit to us,” he said.
Dole Ocean Cargo Express has operated out of the Port of San Diego since October 2002 when the company moved its West Coast terminal and port facility from the Port of Los Angeles.
The Port of Hueneme already has refrigerated facilities used for fruit shipping, including Del Monte’s US western distribution centre (which covers 83,000ft2 of refrigerated space) and NYKCool’s 140,000ft2 refrigerated terminal which handles imported bananas and other produce for Chiquita Fresh North America.
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