International fruit shipper-producer Dole Food Company is reportedly considering shifting its United States shipping operations from the Port of San Diego to the Port of Hueneme.
Dole, based in Westlake Village, Calif., currently has a ten-year lease with the San Diego port that runs out in December 2012.
Dole has been evaluating the two ports' facilities and is currently in negotiations with both – either to stay in San Diego or move to Hueneme – according to comments by a Dole spokesperson to the Ventura County Star.
The fresh fruit firm's shipping arm, Dole Ocean Cargo Express, has been at the Port of San Diego since moving from the Port of Los Angeles in 2002.
Hueneme, which has grown as a niche port specializing in, among other things, fruit and vegetable imports and exports, is already home to Chiquita Fresh North America, Del Monte's US western distribution center.
