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New Kyokuyo Vessel M/V Mogami Reefer Calls Wilmington The Port of Wilmington will welcome the arrival of Kyokuyo Shipping Company’s newest vessel, the “Mogami Reefer”, on her maiden voyage on Monday April 3rd. Kyokuyo Shipping Co. Ltd. is one of the world’s major reefer shipping lines, who specialize in the transportation of New Zealand meat, fish and fruits. Kyokuyo has been using Wilmington as its sole port of call in the US since 1991. Kyokuyo is operating the meat and fish trade to Wilmington year round, and during the spring, it’s ships carry New Zealand apples, pears and kiwi fruit for Enza New Zealand International and Zespri International. In 1999 Kyokuyo carried over 100,000 tons of New Zealand products to Wilmington. |
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Kyokuyo’s strong relationship with Wilmington has helped to develop the Port’s special niche in refrigerated cargo such as frozen meat. The Port has dedicated high quality cold storage warehouses for the meat and fish imports. When the meat arrives in Wilmington it is discharged, inspected and cleared for entry by the US Department of Agriculture – Food Safety and Inspection Service personnel stationed at the port. |
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Most of the meat is stored at the Port’s
cold storage warehouses, and distributed from Wilmington. The
imported beef is destined primarily for US meat grinders, processors and
fast food suppliers, who blend it with American beef to produce higher
quality and better tasting hamburgers. The Port of Wilmington will welcome the “Mogami Reefer” with a plaque presentation ceremony. She will call in Wilmington carrying a total of 3700 pallets of New Zealand beef and fish. The vessel was built in the Kyokuyo shipyard in Japan and was completed in October of 1999. She is 127.38 meters long, and has a capacity of 404,066 ft3. She can sail at a maximum speed of 21.04 knots, and is operated by 23 crewmembers. The vessel loaded the cargo for this voyage at the New Zealand ports of Whangarei, Tauranga, Dunedin, Alston and Napier. Founded
in 1923, the Port
of Wilmington is an important asset for the local and
regional economy, generating over 4,900 jobs and contributing over $16
million in annual tax revenues to State and local government. The
Port is owned and operated by the Diamond State Port Corporation, a
corporation of the State of Delaware. For further information,
digital photos, free tours of the Port and free speakers contact: Vered
Nohi-Becker, Marketing Services Manager at the Port of Wilmington @
(302) 472-7819, e-mail: vnbecker@port.state.de.us
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