China Rejects $130 Million Chilean Cherry Shipment After Shipping Delay

A massive shipment of Chilean cherries, valued between $60 million and $130 million, is at risk of being destroyed after being stranded at sea for weeks.

The shipment, meant to reach China in time for the Lunar New Year, was delayed after the container ship Maersk Saltoro suffered a breakdown in the Pacific Ocean.

By the time it reached the port, much of the cherries were spoiled, leading Chinese customs officials to reject the cargo.

The Maersk Saltoro, a vessel chartered by Maersk for the seasonal “Cherry Express” service, departed from the Port of San Antonio in Chile on December 27.

It was scheduled to arrive in China by January 15 to meet the peak demand for cherries during Lunar New Year celebrations.

However, things changed when the vessel suffered a breakdown about 500 nautical miles from Pohnpei in January.

With no immediate solution available, the vessel drifted at sea for three weeks. A team of technicians was eventually sent by tugboat to conduct repairs, allowing the ship to resume its journey.

However, by the time it arrived at the port of Nansha on February 17, it was already 52 days behind schedule, missing the most …

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