The U.S. Department of Agriculture has added North Carolina’s Port of Wilmington to both phases of the Southeast In-Transit Cold Treatment Pilot program. This will allow more direct imports of produce including fruits like blueberries, grapes, apples, pears and citrus from across the Americas and other countries enrolled in the Cold Treatment Program.

 

"We have been working hard to get this program approved since the demand from our customer base is very strong and they wanted to see this capability for Wilmington move forward," said State Ports Authority Executive Director Paul J. Cozza.

 

During Phase One of the pilot program, fruits will be chilled between 15 and 17 days at a specified temperature to protect against pests. The process begins in fruit exporting countries in Central and South America. The refrigerated cargo can then only be discharged from a South Atlantic terminal upon completion of its treatment schedule.

 

Phase Two allows refrigerated cargo to finish its treatment schedule on terminal before being discharged.

 

Wilmington is well equipped for the reefer container trade, with nearly 300 plugs on terminal and the capability to install more. The port is also home to Port of Wilmington Cold Storage, a full-service, 101,000-square-foot on-terminal refrigerated warehouse.

 

"Phase Two opens up a totally new dimension for our port and an option for importers to complete treatment after discharge, which is unique in the south/mid-Atlantic and only available at the Port of Wilmington," said Hans Bean, the ports authority’s vice president, trade and development. 

 

Furthermore, he explained: "The addition of N.C. Ports to the program allows the Authority to serve the North Carolina grocery sector with fresh produce with our partner ocean carriers with multiple logistical and economic advantages."