Hong Kong has set a new record for cherry container deliveries from Chile.

Modern Terminals said the arrival of ITAJAI EXPRESS, operated by Hapag-Lloyd at Modern Terminals on February 4, marked another record for Hong Kong as the ship brought 1,941 active reefer containers to Hong Kong.

"This is the highest number of Chilean cherry containers discharged from a single vessel call, surpassing last season's record by 59%," the announcement said.

Danny Chui, sales director & office manager of Hapag-Lloyd's Hong Kong office, noted that every year, our Cherry Express service offers competitive transit times from Valparaiso to Hong Kong for the Chilean cherry exporters.

"We have complete confidence in the terminal operators here to handle the record-breaking container volumes. The service at the terminals and the efficiency of the clearance processes in Hong Kong ensure fresh cherries can reach consumer markets in South China in only a few hours," he added.

Rose Lee, deputy director of International Logistics at Joy Wing Mau, a premier fruit importer to China, said China is the major market for Chilean cherries and accounts for around 90% of the product.

"The flexible terminal handling processes in Hong Kong allow speedy dispatch after discharge with 'hot box' collection enabling same day delivery to the Mainland China market. Moreover, pick-up alternatives of either roadside or watergate feeders complement each other, making Hong Kong an ideal location for the import of cherries," Lee added.

Horace Lo, group managing director of Modern Terminals Limited, noted that Hong Kong enjoys a unique free port status, and with its "hot box arrangements," containers can be on the way by road or by barge shortly after discharge.

"So far this season, nearly 50% of all the containers from the Cherry Express ships exited our terminal within 1 hour of being discharged from the ship. An amazing 90% of the containers left the terminal within 12 hours of being discharged from the ship. Nothing beats Hong Kong's efficiency and service levels," Lo added.