Chilean cherries face delay as 1,300 containers stranded en route to China

A shipment of 1,300 containers of Chilean cherries bound for China has been delayed due to engine failure on the vessel carrying them. The ship, part of the Cherry Express service, departed San Antonio on December 27 and has been stationary near Micronesia since January 13. This disruption coincides with a record export season, during which 17,000 containers of cherries have already been shipped from San Antonio.

The cherries were originally scheduled to arrive at Nansha Port, China, on January 20, but the delay means they will miss the crucial Chinese New Year market on January 29. Tracking platforms report the vessel as stationary, within Micronesia's exclusive economic zone, and unreachable.

This delay poses a significant challenge for Chile’s cherry industry, which relies heavily on precise delivery schedules to meet high demand in China. The incident underscores the logistical risks associated with record-breaking export volumes during peak seasons.

source: portalportuario.cl

photo: agendamaritima.cl