September 20 , 2001

Port of Corpus Christi Continues to Capture New Markets at Refrigerated Warehouse

As part of the Port's ongoing diversification efforts, the Port of Corpus Christi has explored new markets and new products for its refrigerated warehouse. Completed in Fall 2000, the Port's new 100, 000 sq foot, on- dock refrigerated warehouse added capacity for the port to efficiently handle refrigerated commodities. This year, the Port of Corpus Christi began handling New Zealand meat products as well as other frozen/chilled commodities, including frozen french fries destined for Mexico. Now, for the first-time, the Port recently handled its first-ever shipment of imported apples from New Zealand. This shipment was the result of cooperative efforts amongst the Port of Corpus Christi; Texas grocer, HEB; the David Oppenheimer Group, North American marketers of New Zealand apples and Kyokuyo Shipping Line.

More than 16,000 cartons of ENZA apples, including, Braeburn, Fuji, and Pacific Rose, were off-loaded in a matter of / hours from the M/V COLUMBIA into the Port of Corpus Christi's refrigerated warehouse. The apples were stored there briefly, and became available at local HEB stores and other retailers within a week of the vessel discharge.

According to David Nelley, apple and pear category manager for the David Oppenheimer group, Vancouver, B.C., " In the past, New Zealand apples were shipped to the East Coast and then trucked straight into Texas. Now with the addition of the new coldstore in Corpus Christi, Texans enjoy the freshest possible apples that have been shipped directly to them. In fact, HEB will carry a vast majority of the apples, and has been instrumental in stepping up to
pre-order the fruit, allowing us to use the Port's new refrigerated warehouse."

Corpus Christi's proximity to the marketplace was not the only advantage according to Ed Altemus, Port of Corpus Christi Trade Development Director. " Another key advantage is the on-dock location of the coldstore. This is a plus for any produce or refrigerated cargo. From the ship to the coldstore, it's literally a matter of 60 seconds!"

For the first-ever shipment of imported apples, the entire operation went very well. More than 16, 000 cartons were off-loaded less than 6 hours. According to Altemus, this illustrates the efficiency, abilities, and potential of the labor here at the Port of Corpus Christi.

The Port continues to pursue and explore new produce and poultry markets. Kyokuyo Shipping expects to return to Corpus Christi in November.

The Port of Corpus Christi's refrigerated warehouse features 11,000+ pallet capacity with three rooms ( two of which can be converted to chill space), blast freeze capability, repack room, interstate highway less than ONE mile away, adjacent to RO/RO ramp. Boyd-Campbell was the local agent. Dix-Fairway was the local stevedore

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