Dole will stay at Port of Wilmington through 2025

The fruit company signed a lease extension on its warehouse facilities at the Port of Wilmington through 2025.

The fruit company signed a lease extension on its warehouse facilities at the Port of Wilmington through 2025.

The multi-million dollar agreement will help Delaware maintain its status as the world’s largest banana port for the next decade and beyond.  Last year, nearly 60 ships carrying thousands of tons of tropical fruit and other cargo visited the port.  Governor Markell says, “This long lease secures more than 800 jobs at the port, which keeps cargo moving and brings significant economic benefits to the region.”

Dole officials say by using Wilmington as its base for distribution, the company can send fruit throughout the region, and as far away as Canada, the Mississippi River, and North Carolina.  The company projects that it will generate $657 million in business revenue over the lifetime of the agreement.  During that time, the company will contribute $46.5 million in regional taxes.