The Diamond State Port Corporation announced Monday it has reached an agreement with Chiquita to continue using Wilmington as the company’s mid-Atlantic distribution hub.
The five-year agreement will allow Chiquita to ship bananas, pineapples and other tropical fruits and vegetables to the port. The agreement also includes two five-year lease renewal options that could extend the company’s relationship with the Port of Wilmington until 2029.
Chiquita has used Wilmington as the center of its mid-Atlantic operations for more than 25 years. Its vessels make about 52 port calls a year in the First State, and load up with used autos and other products for the return trip to Central America.
Wilmington handles more bananas than any other port in North America.