Port Manatee Inks Del Monte Lease Extension
Port Manatee says it has signed an agreement to keep Del Monte fruit coming into the Florida Gulf Coast port for as many as 20 more years. Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. Inc., which has imported fruit into the deepwater Florida seaport since 1989, is now signed to a lease extension with Port Manatee through August 30, 2021, with options for three additional extensions of five years each. If all options are exercised, Del Monte will be doing business at Port Manatee until at least 2036.
Hueneme Port Expands Ship Pollution Reduction Program
The Port of Hueneme launched the second phase of its Grid-Connected Shore Power System, celebrating another next step forward in reducing air emissions and minimizing environmental impact. Among the community leaders attending the ribbon cutting were Congresswoman Julia Brownley, County Supervisor Kathy Long, Ms. Sabiha Khan with Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office, Port Hueneme Mayor Douglas Breeze, and VCTC chairman Keith Millhouse. By connecting to the Port’s Grid-Based Shore Power System, refrigerated cargo vessels calling the Port can shut down their auxiliary marine engines and operate on shore power in lieu of diesel fuel dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Port Hueneme Renew Banana Partnership
Port Officials and Del Monte Fresh produce have celebrated their 34-year partnership by executing a third modification of their 1995 contract. “34 years represents a lifetime in the maritime community. Del Monte arrived at the port in 1979, encouraged by a motivated and sustainable labor force. Having no refrigerated facilities in those days, bananas had to be unloaded box- by-box utilizing an elevated conveyor system connecting directly into the side of the ship. At each end of the conveyor, longshoremen handled 40- pound banana boxes from the ship onto a staged pallet alongside the wharf. Full pallets, consisting of 48 boxes would in turn be loaded by teamsters onto waiting trucks.
Port of Hueneme Christens Mobile Harbor Crane
Port leadership joined with Ports America to formally christen the stevedoring company’s newest heavy-lift addition to the Port of Hueneme, a Liebherr LHM 420 Litronic Mobile Harbor Crane. The new crane is the second Ports America crane to be put into action at the port. “This 376 ton mobile harbor crane greatly increases shore side productivity in tandem with our existing crane and increases our flexibility to work more than one ship at a time,” said Ports America’s site manager Kevin Beirne.
