Wilmington, DE – The Port of Wilmington, Delaware had the honor of receiving the first breakbulk shipment of Chilean winter fruit to arrive in the US for the sixth consecutive season. The m/v Pacific Mermaid, a specialized refrigerated vessel operated by Trans Global Shipping NV in the Global Reefers service, was welcomed on Tuesday, December 15th to the nation’s preeminent marine terminal for perishable cargo.
hilean fruit ship discharge operations at the Port of Wilmington, Delaware
hilean fruit ship discharge operations at the Port of Wilmington, Delaware
On this late Fall morning, the Pacific Mermaid commenced discharging her cargo of over 618,450 boxes of fresh cherries, blueberries, apricots, peaches, nectarines, and table grapes. Wilmington is a major port of entry and distribution center for the seasonal importation of fresh Chilean winter fruit. During this season, the Port anticipates receiving at least 25 shiploads of fruit from the Chilean ports of Valparaiso, Coquimbo, and Caldera. Global Reefers is the sole shipping line providing an express service direct from Chile to the Port of Wilmington. ”The arrival of the Pacific Mermaid marks the sixth year in a row that the First State has had the opportunity to receive the initial breakbulk shipment of Chilean winter fruit, not only on the Delaware River but in the US. We are very pleased to once again support the commercial interests of our partners and customers in providing the North American consumer with the freshest available fruit for the Holidays,” said Gene Bailey, the Port’s Executive Director. The cargo is stored in the Port’s 800,000 sf 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 18,650,000 boxes of Chilean fruit in the 2014-15 season - a 10% increase over the previous season. This important trade supports over 750 family sustaining jobs and annually generates $40 million in personal income, $42 million in business revenue and $4 million in tax revenue for the State and the region.