On Monday, June 24, port leaders welcomed the M/V DEL MONTE SPIRIT to Velasco Container Terminal during its first call to Port Freeport. Port Freeport Executive Director & CEO Phyllis Saathoff Port Commission Vice Chairman Rob Giesecke and Port Commissioner Dan Croft presented a plaque to commemorate the occasion to Master of the Vessel, Captain Roman Fedorov, and to Del Monte’s Vice President of Network Shipping and Ports, Sebastian Montero and Freeport Terminal Manager Kevin Vascik.

“Port Freeport is proud to welcome the M/V DEL MONTE SPIRIT to Velasco Container Terminal, signifying the start of Del Monte’s operation at and regular service to Freeport, TX. This is just the beginning of what will become a long-term relationship between the port and Del Monte, and we are grateful for the partnership,” Port Commission Vice Chairman, Rob Giesecke said. “We look forward to serving Del Monte through the investments at Velasco Terminal and are confident our continued collaboration will lead to growing cargo volumes for both entities.”

M/V DEL MONTE SPIRIT docked at Port Freeport’s Velasco Container Terminal.

Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A. recently completed a partial retrofit of Velasco Container Terminal and installed 688 electrical receptacles to receive imported fruit from their weekly vessel service. The M/V DEL MONTE SPIRIT was launched in 2020, like its five sibling vessels, has a cargo capacity of 1,276 twenty-foot equivalent container units that can carry 634 forty-foot-long high-cube refrigerated containers. This newer fleet of ships have fuel-efficient hull designs and emissions-reducing scrubber systems.

“Del Monte looks forward to calling weekly at Port Freeport’s newly retrofitted container terminal. The Velasco Container Terminal offers more efficient terminal access, allowing Del Monte to better serve its customers,” Sebastian Montero, Del Monte’s Vice President of Network Shipping and Ports, says. “We see this as a long-term partnership with great potential for growth.”

“The completion of the 927-foot Berth 8 at Velasco Container Terminal and the new Gate 12 Entrance project under construction will provide efficient terminal access and will give Del Monte the first-class infrastructure needed to support their vessel and terminal operations and goals,” said Phyllis Saathoff, Port Freeport Executive Director & CEO. “We are excited about Del Monte’s arrival and the resulting positive economic impact that their Freeport operation will have on the citizens in the surrounding community and beyond.”