Chiquita Brands will continue to use the Port of Wilmington
as its mid-Atlantic distribution hub for the next five years.
The agreement also includes two 5-year lease renewal
options, which would extend the fruit purveyor's relationship with Wilmington
through 2029.
"We are extremely pleased that Chiquita has decided to
sign a new lease with the port and continue our long and 'fruitful'
relationship," said Gene Bailey, executive director of the Diamond State
Port Corporation, which owns and operates the port. "Chiquita is a most
important customer and responsible for hundreds of jobs."
Bailey said the port's new cranes and other investments made
to keep the port's infrastructure current and operational are what allowed the
state to hold onto Chiquita's business.
"We are grateful to the governor and the General
Assembly for the support which has allowed us to make those capital equipment
acquisitions and infrastructure improvements needed to retain Chiquita's
business despite a very competitive environment," Bailey said.
The state committed $31 million to the facility over the
next five years. On a statewide basis, Bailey said, the port generates $35 to
$38 million in tax revenue.
Chiquita leases 28.7 acres at the Wilmington seaport which
is its largest port operation in North America. The company's ships travel
between Central America and Wilmington carrying bananas, pineapples and other
tropical fruit and vegetables. Its vessels also carry general cargo.
"We are pleased that we have reached an agreement that
will enable us to continue to call Wilmington home for many years to
come," said Mario Pacheco, Chiquita's senior vice president of Global
Logistics.
With the retention of Chiquita's business, the Port of
Wilmington continues to handle more bananas than any other port in North
America.
Source: Newsworks.org
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