The port of Wilmington, DE, received the season's first breakbulk shipment of fresh Moroccan citrus to arrive in the United States.
The M.V. Belgie Reefer, a specialized refrigerated vessel, was welcomed on Wednesday, Nov. 7 to the marine terminal on behalf of long-time port of Wilmington customer Fresh Fruit Maroc.
Eric Casey, chief executive officer of GT USA Wilmington, and Captain Oleg Silnichiy.
The Belgie Reefer began discharging her cargo of over 574,800 boxes of fresh clementines Nov. 7. Wilmington is a major port of entry and distribution center for the seasonal importation of fresh Moroccan citrus, including Nour and Nadorcott clementine varieties.
During this season that runs through March, the port anticipates receiving approximately 12 shiploads of fruit from the Moroccan Atlantic port of Agadir. The arrival of the Belgie Reefer marks the 19th consecutive year that the port has been receiving express, breakbulk shipments for Fresh Fruit Maroc.
“We are privileged to continue as the port of choice to serve our customers and trade partners for timely distribution of the freshest available fruit to North American consumers,” said Eric Casey, chief executive officer of the port, operated by GT USA Wilmington.
Susan Bricks, representative for Fresh Fruit Maroc North America, said, “Wilmington has been a great partner for us over many years — important not only to our group, but to our customers. We are looking forward to another successful season.”
Cargo is stored in the port’s 800,000-square-foot on-dock refrigerated warehouse complex, one of North America’s largest facilities, before distribution to markets throughout the United States and Canada. The port of Wilmington handled more than 10.7 million boxes of Moroccan citrus in the 2018-19 season.
