During the first weekend of the year, the port of Valparaíso marked the beginning of 2024 by loading one of the largest shipments of refrigerated containers in its history. The South Pacific Terminal (TPS) of the port of Valparaiso reported that 1,563 containers, mainly loaded with cherries, were shipped on Hapag-Lloyd's Manzanillo Express ship.
This shipment's main destination is Hong Kong and the cherries should arrive just in time for the Chinese New Year festivities, which will be celebrated on February 10. The cherry export season is peaking and the port has all the necessary infrastructure and personnel ready to cope with the growing demand. During its stop in Valparaíso, the ship made almost 3,000 container movements, including shipments, landings, and cargo restocks.
Oliver Weinreich, general manager of the TPS, expressed his optimism about the export season of cherries to Asia on the occasion of the Lunar New Year. He highlighted the port's capacity to handle the increase in shipments, noting that they have more than 3,150 reefer connections in the terminal yard and a high-quality professional and technical team to meet the needs of all the actors in the logistics chain of the port of Valparaíso.
The Manzanillo Express, built in 2022, is a 335-meter-long container ship with a capacity of 13,000 TEUS. Currently, it is on a 21-day direct trip to Hong Kong, ensuring that the cherries arrive in optimal conditions in Asian territory.
Franco Gandolfo, general manager of the Valparaiso Port Company (EPV), celebrated the achievement made this cherry season. He highlighted the efficiency and collaboration of the logistics chain, as well as the fundamental role of port workers in achieving this shipment.
According to Gandolfo, the South Pacific Terminal will load 18 ships with cherries this cherry season, which began in November and is expected to end in the middle of this month, to supply the Chinese market in its New Year celebrations, which this year will take place on February 10.
Source: redagricola.com