Port of Hueneme and Del Monte officials have agreed to a five-year
lease extension that, if completed, would give the food company nearly 40 years
of residency at the port.
“The port has been a valuable partner in helping us stay
competitive in an increasingly regulated business environment,” Del Monte’s
port manager, Chuck Caulkins, said. “This contract modification extending our
1995 agreement includes one more five year extension.”
Del Monte arrived at the port in 1979, back when no
refrigerated facilities were on hand and bananas had to be unloaded box-by-box
utilizing an elevated conveyor system connecting directly into the side of the
ship.
In 1995, the port built for Del Monte a 30,000 square foot
refrigerated facility capable of maintaining up to 2,500 pallets of fruit at 57
degrees. In January 2005, the port completed a 56,000 square foot expansion of
the original refrigerated facility, which has allowed Del Monte to better
accommodate more fresh produce such as pineapple, honeydew melon and
cantaloupe.
“Thirty-four years represents a lifetime in the maritime
community,” Harbor Board President Jason Hodge said. “We are proud that a world
class customer like Del Monte choses the Port of Hueneme for their West Coast
operations.”
From a weekly maximum of 100,000 boxes of fresh produce for the
regional marketplace in 1979, Del Monte now routinely handles more than 325,000
boxes of fresh bananas, pineapple, honeydews and cantaloupe, according to the
company.
“Del Monte is one of our best customers, a strong business
partner and a friend to the port and the community,” Port CEO and Executive
Director Kristin Decas said during an announcement of the lease extension.
