The first of four break bulk cargo ships from Peru’s Port of Paracas arrived in Philadelphia at the Port of Gloucester in New Jersey January 16. In a historic milestone, the boat transported shipments of Peruvian table grapes.
The accomplishment came due to SENASA of Peru and the USDA which is a breakthrough, resulting the Peruvian industry have a new alternative to ship fruit in containers.
SENSA pointed out this had never been done from Peru. It came about due to a long term coordinated effort with SENASA, PROVID (the table grape association), the shipping companies, and the ports to achieve this operation in break bulk ships.
This type of transportation is more efficient, when considering the global container shortage, where a demand that exceeds the inventory creates substantial congestion in container terminals.
Break bulk ships arrive at private terminals which are less congested, thus avoiding the congestion at other terminals. This results in fruit being unloaded faster.
A second ship is on its way from Peru to the U.S., a third is about to sail, and the fourth is ready to leave the week of January 20-24.
The first vessel arrived in Philadelphia carrying 3,876 pallets and 76 containers of grapes.
The second, third, and fourth vessels will deliver 4,500 pallets and 100 containers each. Break bulkHe favors Peruvian grape exports to the United States, especially during the winter in the northern hemisphere, when operations become longer and congestion at ports builds up.
This permits ships to bypass the line and avoid the 7 to 10-day congestion delays in the ports today.