PERISHABLES\\\ >> 10


cold-treated produce from Chile, Peru,


Uruguay and Argentina,”


Fulford says. “In addition to now serving all South America, GPA adds origins such as Spain, Morocco, and Italy.” Consequently, Americold,


which acquired PortFresh Holdings in Savannah, is building a 15 million-sq.- ſt. cold storage facility to increase its share of food imports and exports. The new warehouse, set to open in mid-2020, will add 37,000 pallet positions, advanced blast freezing capabilities, and space and infrastructure to support the refrigerated- containerized trade. Under the program, which


the Port of Virginia began in October 2017 and completed in 2018, Virginia could import cold-treated containers of blueberries, citrus and grapes from Peru; blueberries and grapes from Uruguay; and apples, blueberries and pears from Argentina. Joe Harris, port spokesman,


explains that today there is more than $1 billion worth of agri-business within 250 miles of the port. “Successful completion of the program


Issue 4 2020 - FBJNA


warehouses and distribution centers. An important benefit, Harris says, is the business brings more equipment to the region and possibly more cold-storage investments. “In addition, increased


reefer business means the possibility of more USDA inspectors in the market and having that availability creates efficiency and can be a factor in driving this business in Virginia,” Harris says. “When that equipment/ support/infrastructure is readily available in the market, it creates opportunities for exports, and we become more competitive on that side of the business. We are out there aggressively courting this business.” Today, the Port of Virginia


offers more than 2,300 total reefer plugs and has become the East Coast’s leading exporter of vegetables. Recently, the Virginia Port Authority purchased another 40-plug mobile power-pack for the Richmond barge service that is helping to expand the port’s ability to handle reefers moving over Richmond Marine Terminal. Preferred Freezer Services


is investing $60 million in a 200,000-square-foot six-


discharged. Consequently, in April, the port set a record for refrigerated container volume by moving 1,459 refrigerated containers – 2,918 TEUs. “Our record-setting April


highlights our expanding perishables portfolio as we have quadrupled refrigerated container volume over the last five years,” says Paul J. Cozza, Executive Director, North Carolina Ports. NC Ports continues to experience a healthy flow of


refrigerated cargoes to global markets despite the recent volatility due to the coronavirus pandemic. FY20 year-to-date (July-April) volumes


are up


20% over FY19. Annual growth from FY14 to FY19 is up more than 225%. Pork and poultry products continue to be the leading export while bananas are


the largest uncertainty refrigerated


import cargo. “While there is still much surrounding


COVID-19, we continue to


see growth in both import and export demand through the port,” adds Hans C.E. Bean, North Carolina Ports Chief Commercial Officer. “To support this growth, we are making the necessary investments


to improve and


expand our capabilities which, in turn, will benefit the North Carolina agriculture industry, the state’s grocery sector and additional cold chain users. As we continue to make progress in optimizing complementary


11


export and import flows, there is a great opportunity to deliver more value for stakeholders across the entire supply chain.” This latest accomplishment


comes on the heels of the opening of a new refrigerated container yard last month. The $14 million project increased the number of on-terminal refrigerated container plugs from 235 to 775 with the ability to expand to more than 1,000 plugs through Phase 2 of the project.


The Port of Virginia benefits from double-stack rail service. (VPA photo)


aligns with a larger goal to diversify our cargo mix, and now we have more leverage as we market our expanded capabilities to capture more of that business,” he says. “It also adds value to our larger effort to grow the amount of reefer and frozen cargo moving across The Port of Virginia.” Today, the Port of


Virginia’s imports and exports of refrigerated cargo are balanced, giving the seaport more potential to drive import volumes and create opportunities for Virginia-based cold-storage


story cold storage warehouse in Portsmouth, not far from Virginia International Gateway. It is projected to open by June 1, 2020. The North Carolina


Ports Authority’s Port of Wilmington completed Phase One and Two of the USDA Southeast In-Transit Cold Treatment Pilot program in 2017, which makes it possible for the port to import fruits like blueberries, grapes, apples, pears, and citrus. Phase Two allows refrigerated cargo to finish its treatment schedule on terminal before being


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20