GULFPORT, Miss.- The Chiquita ship docked in Gulfport on Monday after being absent for nearly two years.
Chiquita ended it’s 40-year run at the State Port of Gulfport for a run in New Orleans, but after nearly two years the company returns to Mississippi with a commitment to another 40 years in the Magnolia State.
State officials upgraded the state port with new cranes from China costing around $30 million. Two of those three cranes will be used to assist the Chiquita with its extra-large shipment needs. They will be the first shipping company to use the port’s new equipment.
The ship docked on the West Pier around 6:30 on Monday evening. This partnership brings about 40 full-time jobs.
This comes as part of an exchange for the $570 million that was given to the coast area after Hurricane Katrina. The goal of the Federal Government in this exchange is to produce nearly 1,200 jobs as a result of the investment into the port.
The initial funds went towards the purchase of the cranes, raising and expanding the West Pier, tower lights, more buildings and pavement.
Chiquita will also be the first company to use the dry-storage unit that is still waiting to be completed.
Space on the dock will be shared with Dole and other tenants until construction is finished in 2017.
