Hong Kong's China Merchants Holdings International (CMHI) and the Port of Oakland have agreed market a comprehensive cold chain service from California to container terminals throughout China for US perishables.

Oakland exports American fruit, almonds, vegetables, meats and wines. "Efforts will focus on enhancing warehousing and logistics facilities and creating seamless cold chain services for US companies exporting their perishable products to China," the port said.

CMHI recently formed a joint venture called China Merchants Americold Logistics Co (CMAC) with Atlanta-based Americold, one of North America's largest cold chain providers which will soon operate in 15 Chinese cities.

China Merchants has operations in Bohai Sea region, Yangtze River Delta, Xiamen Bay Economic Zone opposite Taiwan and in the south west in Hong Kong's Pearl River Delta.

Oakland is fully participating in President Barack Obama's National Export Initiative. "The purpose is to expand the Port of Oakland's export cargo volume to help meet the US government goal of doubling export volumes by 2015," the port authority said in a statement.

Source: Shipping Gazette