PHOTO CUTLINE: Representatives from the Port Freeport Commission, Executive Staff, Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., and Freeport Warehouse LLC cut the ribbon to officially announce the opening of the 80,000-square-foot cold chain facility.
Ribbon-cutting marks the opening of the state-of-the-art facility, enhancing cold chain efficiency and regional distribution through strategic collaboration.
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., (NYSE: FDP) one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, Freeport Warehouse LLC, a subsidiary of North American Stevedore Holding Co., and Port Freeport celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new “Cross-Dock #1” facility. This state-of-the-art facility spans 80,000 square feet of chilled cross-dock warehouse and is strategically located near Port Freeport’s Velasco Container Terminal. The event marked a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between the parties. Fresh Del Monte began weekly vessel calls to the port in June 2024.
“This facility stands as a testament to the strong partnership between Fresh Del Monte, North American Stevedore Holding Co., and Port Freeport,” said Ravi Singhania, Chairman of the Port Freeport Commission. “We are proud to welcome this addition to our port community and its positive economic impact on the region.”
The facility is designed to streamline refrigerated cargo handling and improve supply chain efficiency. It includes 84 bay doors, seven temperature-controlled rooms to maintain an unbroken cold chain, expanded staging areas to ease truck congestion, and supports Fresh Del Monte’s import operations—distributing bananas, pineapples, and plantains across Texas and nearby markets.
“This facility represents a strategic extension of our logistics network in the region,” said Raul Saca, SVP, Global Logistics at Fresh Del Monte. “Our collaboration with Port Freeport and North American Stevedoring enables us to enhance the service standards our customers expect—strengthening cold chain integrity, improving speed to market, and building the scale needed for future growth. We value this partnership and the shared commitment to operational excellence.
“This facility represents a strategic extension of our logistics network in the region,” said Raul Saca, SVP, Global Logistics at Fresh Del Monte. “Our collaboration with Port Freeport and North American Stevedore enables us to enhance the service standards our customers expect—strengthening cold chain integrity, improving speed to market, and building the scale needed for future growth. We value this partnership and the shared commitment to operational excellence.
With the opening of Cross-Dock #1, Fresh Del Monte gains increased operational flexibility and efficiency, enhancing its ability to serve customers throughout the southern United States. Since launching its weekly service to Port Freeport in mid-2024, the company has deployed modern, fuel-efficient vessels equipped to carry more than 600 refrigerated containers per voyage.
“We have a great deal of faith in Port Freeport and Fresh Del Monte and together we believe that this new atmosphere controlled cross dock facility will ensure the highest quality Green Fruit services along the Gulf Coast,” said North American Stevedore Holding Co. Andrew Murphy, CEO.
About Port Freeport
Port Freeport is a leading port in the export of crude oil and natural gas liquids and ranks nationally as 6th in chemicals, 14th in total foreign waterborne tonnage, and 26th in containers. A 2022 Economic Impact Study by Texas A&M Transportation Institute revealed that, nationally, the Freeport Harbor Channel generates 266,300 jobs and has a total economic output of $157.3 billion. Port Freeport serves Alliera, Atlantic Container Lines, AMPORTS, BASF, Chiquita Fresh N.A., Dole Fresh Fruit, The Dow Chemical Company, Enterprise Products Partners, ExxonMobil, Freeport LNG, Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Glovis, Grimaldi Lines, Hoegh Autoliners, Kirby Marine, Liberty Global Logistics, Linde, MEGlobal, NYK RORO, Phillips 66, Riviana Foods, Inc., Sallaum Lines, Tenaris, U.S Department of Energy, Volkswagen Group of America, and Vulcan Materials Company.
About Fresh Del Monte
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, marketers, and distributors of high-quality fresh and fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, as well as a leading producer and distributor of prepared food in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. markets its products worldwide under the DEL MONTE® brand (under license from Del Monte Foods, Inc.), a symbol of product innovation, quality, freshness, and reliability for over 135 years. The company also markets its products under the MANN™ brand and other related trademarks. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Del Monte Foods, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited, Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is the first global marketer of fruits and vegetables to commit to the “Science Based Targets” initiative. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, Fresh Del Monte Produce was ranked as one of “America’s Most Trusted Companies” by Newsweek based on an independent survey rating companies on three different touchpoints, including customer trust, investor trust, and employee trust. The company was also named a Humankind 100 Company for two consecutive years by Humankind Investments, which recognizes companies that substantially impact areas such as access to food and clean water, healthcare, and digital services. Fresh Del Monte has also been awarded the SEAL Business Sustainability Awards four times in the last five years (2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025). Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. is traded on the NYSE under the symbol FDP.
About North American Stevedore Holding Co.
North American Stevedoring Holding Co. has provided specialized longshore operations for the Seafood industry in Alaska since 1996 while providing dedicated container handling and breakbulk services for the Green Fruit Industries in Texas, and Florida since 2012. North American Stevedoring views its customers as partners and works hand in hand with them to provide the best results.
Media Contacts:
Port Freeport
Amanda Veliz, Public Affairs Manager
(979) 233-2667 ext. 4306
veliz@portfreeport.com
Fresh Del Monte
Claudia Teresa Pou
VP, Global Head of Corporate Communications
CPou@FreshDelmonte.com
North American Stevedore Holding Co.
Andrew Murphy
(206) 436-8410
Andrew@pacsteve.com
