Port Freeport is pleased to announce the execution of a Lease Agreement to commence in 2024 with Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (Del Monte), one of the world’s leading producers, distributors, and marketers of fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, with products sold in more than 80 countries around the world. The company also owns Network Shipping, its third-party ocean logistics arms that carries goods between the Americas. Del Monte ships will offer weekly calls to Port Freeport to import bananas, pineapples, and plantains, serving a large portion of the Texas market and beyond.
“Port Freeport Commission expresses thanks to the Del Monte and Port teams who have worked diligently in making this partnership materialize. This partnership will create positive economic impacts for our district,” said Port Commissioner Chairman Ravi Singhania. “Del Monte will be a great addition to our community with their commitment to the environment and their goal of working towards a sustainable future.”
Del Monte will relocate its western U.S. Gulf operation to Port Freeport in 2024 after the completion of modifications to Velasco Container Terminal by adding more than 500 refrigerated container (“reefer”) plugs. Del Monte also has marine operations in the following U.S. ports: Port Hueneme, California, Port Manatee, Florida and Gloucester, Pennsylvania. After the relocation, Port Freeport will be the only U.S. port with the “big three” multinational green fruit importers at the same terminal.
“We look forward to beginning a new relationship with Port Freeport as Del Monte and as Network Shipping,” said Sebastian Montero, Vice President of Network Shipping. “Moving our U.S. Gulf service to Port Freeport will enable us to optimize both our trade lane capacity and our logistics and supply chain services that offer Network Shipping’s non-Del Monte cargo customers a 3PL and an end-to-end solution.”
Del Monte will deploy newly constructed fully cellular vessels to Port Freeport. The vessels in the service are designed with a carrying capacity of 634 reefer units. In 2020 and 2021, Del Monte launched six fuel-efficient vessels with the latest emission reduction technology in order to reduce emissions from vessel shipping and achieve the company’s 2030 sustainability goals. Del Monte was one of the first large-scale banana companies to receive SCS Carbon Neutral Certification for banana operations in Costa Rica.
“The recent completion of the 927-foot Berth 8 at Velasco Container Terminal and the new Gate 12 Entrance project being built to provide efficient terminal access will give Del Monte the firstclass infrastructure needed to support their vessel and terminal operations and goals,” said Phyllis Saathoff, Port Freeport Executive Director/CEO. “We are excited to welcome Del Monte to Port Freeport and look forward to the commencement of their operations next year.”
About Port Freeport
Port Freeport is a leading port in the export of crude oil and natural gas liquids and ranks nationally as 6th in chemicals, 17th in total foreign waterborne tonnage, and 26th in containers. A 2022 Economic Impact Study by Texas A&M Transportation Institute revealed that, nationally, the Freeport Harbor Channel generates 266,300 jobs and has a total economic output of $157.3 billion. Port Freeport serves Alliera, Atlantic Container Lines, AMPORTS, BASF, Chiquita Fresh N.A., Dole Fresh Fruit, The Dow Chemical Company, Enterprise Products Partners, ExxonMobil, Freeport LNG, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Glovis, Grimaldi Lines, Hoegh Autoliners, Kirby Marine, Liberty Global Logistics, MEGlobal, NYK RORO, Phillips 66, Riviana Foods, Inc., Sallaum Lines, Tenaris, U.S Department of Energy, Volkswagen Group of America, and Vulcan Materials Company.
About Fresh Del Monte
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared food in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. markets its products worldwide under the DEL MONTE® brand (under license from Del Monte Foods, Inc.), a symbol of product innovation, quality, freshness, and reliability for over 135 years. The company also markets its products under the MANN™ brand and other related trademarks. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Del Monte Foods, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited, Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is the first global marketer of fruits and vegetables to commit to the “Science Based Targets” initiative. In 2022 and 2023, Fresh Del Monte Produce was ranked as one of “America’s Most Trusted Companies” by Newsweek based on an independent survey rating companies on three different touchpoints, including customer trust, investor trust, and employee trust. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is traded on the NYSE under the symbol FDP.
About Network Shipping
Network Shipping™ (NWS), a Fresh Del Monte company, is a boutique logistics company operating sea and land solutions for perishable cargo in Latin America and the United States for over 25 years. Network Shipping's smart sea routes have virtually 100% on-time delivery and are a great cost-effective solution to ship cargo precisely where it needs to be. Commercial cargo falls under Fresh Del Monte’s Other Products and Services segment. To learn more about Network Shipping, visit www.network-shipping.com.