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Chiquita banana's shipping operations shift back to Gulfport

US FRUIT producer Chiquita Brands is returning its shipping operations to Gulfport, Mississippi from the Port of New Orleans, where it has been operating since 2014, reports the Jackson Clarion-Ledger.

"We are pleased to return our port operations to Gulfport where our Chiquita ripening and distribution facilities are located," said Chiquita president and CEO Andrew Biles.

"We believe that Gulfport is optimally situated to service our customers most efficiently with both north and southbound vessel services." he said.

Chiquita will employ 10 management and operations personnel, while providing local longshoremen additional hours lost when, after 40 years in Gulfport, the company relocated its shipping operations to New Orleans.

The company maintained ripening operations in Gulfport and Chiquita's new lease with the Port of Gulfport is for an initial term of 40 years, through 2056.

The company will return to its previous location in the North Harbour and will expand into Terminal 1, encompassing a total of 32 acres - more than double what the company previously occupied, reported The Associated Press.

The state port is expected to begin receiving Chiquita containers by mid-July, with the first vessel scheduled to arrive in August.

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant said: "Chiquita's return demonstrates the 'Port of the Future, or the Port of Gulfport, is the right fit for companies with international shipping needs. It also reinforces the fact Mississippi has a business environment that helps companies maintain their competitive edge in today's demanding economy."

The Port of New Orleans said in a statement that the deal to bring Chiquita back to New Orleans was struck before the company was sold to the Cutrale-Safra Groups in 2015.

Figures from the port show 244,681 tonnes of bananas were shipped through New Orleans last year, accounting for 2.5 per cent of total general cargo and 4.8 per cent of the its container tonnage.