Port Wilmington officials say their port remained a premier destination for a wide array of cargo in 2024 and is looking forward to a strong 2025.
Perishables helped build Port Wilmington, but rapid diversification of the port’s cargo portfolio is now taking place.
“Our valuable longstanding perishable partnerships are the backbone of Enstructure Wilmington,” said Port Wilmington spokesperson Justin May. “In addition to maintaining and growing this line of business, Enstructure Wilmington is working to expand its forest products, auto Ro/ Ro, bulk and breakbulk, and container cargo operations.”
Port Wilmington is a full-service port and marine terminal located in Wilmington, DE on 308 acres at the confluence of the Delaware and Christina Rivers. Port Wilmington touts itself as the first deep-water terminal on the Delaware River.
Last year marked Enstructure’s first full year as operator after taking over from GT USA Wilmington, a US division of UAE-headquartered Gulftainer. The new operators got a boost in early 2024 when Dole Ocean Cargo Express announced it was adding a second weekly service call to the port with a 1,200 FEU container vessel with direct service between Port Wilmington and Central and South America.
The Mayan Express
Dole’s “Mayan Express” boasts direct service to Santa Marta, Colombia; Puerto Castilla, Honduras; Puerto Barrios, Guatemala and Port Wilmington. There is also indirect service to El Salvador available. Dole Ocean Cargo Express’ East Coast line offers direct service to and from Puerto Moin, Costa Rica; Puerto Castilla, Honduras and Port Wilmington while Dole expects additional growth of the Mayan Express.
“With the recommencement of the Mayan Express to a weekly service we anticipate growth in the volumes we currently carry,” said John Trummel, Vice President & General Manager of Dole Ocean Cargo Express. “The expected increase is both from perishable cargo - vegetables, melons, and fruits - and dry cargo such as frozen meats, autos, FAK, and consumer goods.”
Trummel reinforced the diverse cargo Dole ships north and south from Port Wilmington.
“Dole Ocean Cargo Express is among the most established, reliable, and consistent carriers servicing the Central America trade for the past 30 years,” he said. “Like all containerized freight, the volumes have grown to include frozen foodstuffs, non-refrigerated foodstuffs, autos, consumer goods, construction materials, paper materials as well as other commodities.”
Port Grant
In October, the Port Wilmington and elected officials announced a $127.5 million grant as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports Program’s Emission Technology Deployment Competition. The Port said it would use the grant to attain electric cargo handling equipment and charging infrastructure.
“Enstructure is a proud recipient of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports Grant Program. This investment will advance terminal infrastructure and equipment to keep ahead of our sustainability goals, maintain resiliency, and enhance efficiency,” May said. “We are dedicated to integrating sustainable practices throughout our operations at Enstructure Wilmington, and this will accelerate our efforts. The grant will be used to electrify container handling operations at Enstructure and support the procurement of electric container handling equipment at the future Enstructure Delaware Container Terminal. We are grateful for the support of our state and federal partners throughout this process.”
The development of a world-class container terminal at the Edgemoor site north of Port Wilmington remains up in the air. In late October, a U.S. district judge in Philadelphia vacated permits for the project ruling the Army Corps of Engineers acted arbitrarily and capriciously in approving them. The decision has temporarily halted the plans.
Officials with the Port declined to comment on the issue but the most recent Diamond State Port Corp. (DSPC) financials mention it is actively working with the USACE to restore and/or issue new permits in accord with the recent court decision. The DSPC oversees Port Wilmington.