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New
Zealand Ambassador John Wood |
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Wilmington,
DE - New Zealand Ambassador to the US, John Wood and
his wife Rose will visit the Port of Wilmington on Friday, September 12
to meet with importers of New Zealand products and with State, City and
Port officials. The Port of Wilmington is one of New Zealand’s major
trading partners and receives over 100,000 tons of meat, fish, fruit and
juice concentrates on an annual basis. The
first shipments of frozen beef arrived at the Port of Wilmington in
March 1991 aboard refrigerated ships owned by Kyokuyo Shipping Line
(KY), a Tokyo based ship-owning company. Working together with the New
Zealand exporters, domestic receivers and KY, the Port is a key partner
in increasing the trade opportunities between United States and New
Zealand. Today, the Port enjoys year round imports of beef, and fish
shipments, as well as seasonal cargoes of apples, pears, kiwifruits, and
juice concentrates and its relationship with KY shipping has been
strengthen as well. Since
the State’s acquisition of the Port of Wilmington in 1995, the Port
has expanded its refrigerated warehouse capacity to over 700,000 sq. ft.
to better accommodate its growing New Zealand trade. Refrigerated and
freezer rooms, USDA meat inspection facilities, cold treatment
capabilities and controlled atmosphere (CA) rooms for fruit cargo offer
New Zealand exporters and their US customers the largest and most
advanced dockside cold storage facility in the US. In
recognition of the Port’s unique capabilities, The Oppenheimer Group
has selected Wilmington as its US East Coast marketing and distribution
hub for the internationally respected New Zealand brands of ENZA apples
and pears, and Zespri kiwifruit. Additionally, this year, Dole Fresh
Fruit Company, New Zealand Fresh, and ProFruit New Zealand have directed
new cargoes to Wilmington. “We
are very honored to host Ambassador Wood on his visit to Delaware, and
especially pleased to show him so many New Zealand export products in
our warehouses”, said Eugene R. Bailey, Executive Director of the
Diamond State Port Corporation. “Our Port has played an integral role
in the continued growth of commerce between our two countries”, he
added. |
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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 |
