Sediment Buildup Limits Access for Chiquita Vessels at Port of Wilmington, USA
DEFENSE
Sediment buildup at the Port of Wilmington, USA, is limiting access for fully loaded Chiquita fruit vessels, forcing them to divert to Chester and Philadelphia ports for unloading. This has resulted in reduced labor hours for port workers in Wilmington, with reports of non-union labor being utilized for unloading at upstream ports.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers attributed the sediment accumulation to delays in a dredging contract caused by a contractual protest and contractor commitments. Dredging, originally scheduled for last October, is expected to begin soon as the contractor mobilizes equipment.

Feb 25, 2026, 5:20 PM