DOVER, Del. (AP) — Delaware officials have apparently fended off a challenge from New Jersey counterparts hoping to peel away some of the banana trade at the Port of Wilmington.
Officials with the Diamond State Port Corp. and Dole Food Co. announced an agreement in principle Tuesday for Dole to continue using Wilmington's port for its cargo for the next 15 years.
The agreement, subject to final negotiations and approval by both boards, gives Dole two options for 10-year extensions. It includes terms governing Dole's use of the port and commitments by the port for capital improvements to meet Dole's needs.
Dole has used the Wilmington port since 1982 and is the port's largest customer.
But Dole officials had been looking at diverting some business to a new port being built in Paulsboro, N.J.
