Port of Los Angeles (Port of LA) said the first vessel of Chilean fruit in 2024 has arrived at the Port of Los Angeles, carrying more than 5,300 pallets of grapes and stone fruit.

It said that the Port is currently the only US West Coast port receiving specialized refrigerated cargo ships that carry palletized fruit from this South American agricultural hub. 

"We have become the main stop for Chilean fruit imports on the West Coast that gets distributed as far north as Canada and as far east as Texas," said Gene Seroka, executive director at the Port of Los Angeles.

"Being able to accommodate and efficiently process a variety of cargo for our customers – such as the fresh breakbulk shipment today – continues to be an important priority for our Port," he added.

Port of LA noted that in 2021, it invested nearly US$1 million to upgrade its breakbulk building at Berths 54-55, a marine terminal operated by SSA Marine.

The building serves as the Port's main staging area for pallets of Chilean produce, which SSA Marine then quickly distributes using the Port’s vast network of refrigerated trucking services and cold storage facilities.

Departing from the Port of Coquimbo on January 3, the Ivar Reefer is operated by Cool Carriers, a company specializing in the direct transportation of fruit and other fresh goods.

Port of LA said modern cooling and ventilation systems, as well as thermal insulation on their vessels, allow for optimal conditions and minimal risk of damage to perishable cargo.

"The vessel is the first of dozens that will be arriving at the Port of Los Angeles through the winter season, which runs from January through early April," Seroka added.