June 20, 2001

Port of Corpus Christi Receives New Zealand Meat Imports

Kyokuyo Shipping Company's M/V CHIKUMA REEFER vessel arrived at the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas on May 21 to discharge meat from New Zealand. This marked the first vessel arrival after Kyokuyo's April announcement selecting Corpus Christi as the preferred US Gulf port of call to handle all refrigerated cargo business moving through the Western US Gulf of Mexico.

According to Port Executive Director, John P. LaRue, this vessel, and the selection of Corpus Christi, is significant because it supports the Port's beliefs that Corpus Christi is well placed to serve the refrigerated cargo industry. The routing of Kyokuyo's business through Corpus Christi highlights the Port's strategic location and ability to better serve the Northern Mexico, Texas, and Central/Southwest United States markets. The Port expects the M/V CHIKUMA REEFER to return again in mid-July.

More than 400 pallets of New Zealand beef were offloaded in six hours from the M/V CHIKUMA REEFER for distribution to Texas and Northern Mexico Markets. Once discharged, the products were stored, USDA inspected, and distributed from the Port's new Berkshire Cold Storage facility.

Overall, this shipment is significant for the Port and Berkshire Cold Storage because it clearly illustrates the idea of customers using Corpus Christi as an alternative distribution center for the Texas, Midwest, West Coast, and Mexico markets.

Boyd Campbell was the local agent and Dix-Fairway was the local stevedore.

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