Dive Summary:
- Banana importer Dole Fresh Fruits will remain at the Port of Wilmington in Delaware for the next 15 years pending final agreement on a new deal.
- The deal is important to both the state and the port's workers because Dole is the port's largest tenant—officials ranging from the Diamond State Port Cooperation to Delaware Gov. Jack Markell have been involved in hammering out a new contract with Dole representatives.
- The port, operated by Diamond State, serves as a gateway for fresh fruit for a third of the U.S., and the Port of Paulsboro in New Jersey has been considered a rival for Dole's business.
From the article:
... The seriousness of the negotiations can be seen in the fact that a rival for the business was the Port of Paulsboro, across the Delaware River in New Jersey.
The port means business for Delaware. It means business for the companies that deal directly with the goods coming and going at the port. It also means potential business for other Delaware and regional companies that may need it in the future. ...
