DP World steps up operations to support Chile’s cherry rush to China
DP World boosts capacity and speeds up vessel handling as Chile enters its busiest cherry export window.
CHILE – DP World has increased activity at its San Antonio terminal to keep Chilean cherries moving to China ahead of the 2026 Chinese New Year.
This period remains the most valuable sales window for the country’s fresh fruit industry, so the company is working with exporters and shipping lines to keep the flow steady.
Almost all of Chile’s cherries head to China, where shoppers buy them as signs of good fortune during the Lunar New Year. DP World raised staffing levels at the terminal and improved its cold-chain setup to match the fast rise in demand.
The team also improved data systems that support reefer operations and tightened coordination with maritime agencies and customs officials to keep turnaround times short.
Growth in volume
Last season, the terminal handled more than 12.8 million cartons of cherries, which marked a strong rise from the year before. The site runs on modern reefer technology with more than 2,700 reefer plugs.
In 2024, the value of Chile’s cherry exports reached US$3.1 billion. This figure shows how much the fruit contributes to both local farming and global trade.
Curtis Doiron, CEO of DP World in Chile, said: “Chile’s cherry exports are one of the country’s most important agricultural trade flows, and DP World is proud to help ensure their quality and timely arrival to global markets.”
He added: “Through coordinated planning, advanced reefer capacity, and our state-of-the-art mooring system, we are well-positioned to support another record season and give exporters reliable, predictable performance during the most time-sensitive period of the year”.
For the 2025 to 2026 season, DP World expects 13 cherry vessels to call at the terminal with about 14,800 TEU. The company also predicts a rise in refrigerated cherry containers from 4,850 units to 5,350 units.
The season officially opened on 28 November with the arrival of the CMA CGM Fort Jame. Activity will reach its highest point between 16 and 22 December. The CMA CGM Litani will complete the season when it departs on 17 January.
Broader developments
DP World plans to add more vessel calls through the ACSA service. This step will stretch the export window into the third week of January and give exporters extra room to plan shipments.
The company continues to strengthen operations in Chile as interest in Latin American fruit grows in Asia. DP World believes that stronger cold-chain systems and faster vessel handling create more confidence for exporters who rely on quick movement and fresh arrivals.
With the cherry season now running at full speed, DP World’s work at San Antonio plays a central role in keeping Chile’s fruit supply on track for one of the most important shopping seasons in China.
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