April 11, 2001

Kyokuyo Shipping Co LTD. Selects Corpus Christi as Preferred US Gulf Port

As a result of a successful trial shipment at the Port's new Berkshire Cold Storage refrigerated facility, Kyokuyo Shipping Co LTD of Japan has designated Corpus Christi its preferred port of call to handle all refrigerated cargo business moving through the Western US Gulf as of May 2001.

In May, the M/V CHIKUMA REEFER will discharge New Zealand meat products destined for the Texas and Northern Mexico markets. Once discharged, the products will be stored, USDA inspected, and distributed from the Port's refrigerated warehouse.

"Kyokuyo's selection of Corpus Christi as its US Gulf port of call is significant because it supports our beliefs about Corpus Christi and its potential to serve the refrigerated cargo industry. The routing of Kyokuyo's business through Corpus Christi highlights our strategic location and ability to better serve the Northern Mexico, Texas, and Central and Southwest United States markets," said John P. LaRue, Port Executive Director. "Our proximity to these key markets, coupled with our brand new 100,000 sq foot on-dock refrigerated facility, make Corpus Christi an ideal location for serving the refrigerated cargo industry.

We look forward to working with Kyokuyo Shipping to further develop this Texas/ Mexico market and together, explore new markets, especially, New Zealand fruit imports, for Corpus Christi to serve," added LaRue.

In January 2001, Corpus Christi secured a trial shipment of New Zealand meat products destined for the Texas and Mexico markets. This marked the first significant reefer vessel shipment handled by Berkshire Cold Storage. The cold storage facility was complete in Fall 2000. The facility features on-dock location (less than 60 feet from ship), immediate interstate access (less than one mile away from highway), rail service by Union Pacific, Texas Mexican Railway, and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, 11,000 pallet capacity, three rooms (two convertible to chill space) blast freeze capability, refrigeration control from -20 F, repack room, 33-ft. high ceilings, USDA approvals, Customs bonded, approved for delivery and storage on Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and located within Foreign Trade Zone.

For more information on shipments for M/V CHIKUMA REEFER contact Kyokuyo Shipping at 302-472-5634. Boyd Campbell is the local agent and Dix-Fairway is the stevedore. Kyokuyo began in 1937 as a fishing company concentrated on the fishing industry. Today, Kyokuyo has positioned itself as a food company focusing on seafood products and food processing, including frozen commodities. Kyokuyo's refrigerated vessels ply the world's oceans transporting fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meat products. Click here to view shipping schedule.

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