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Chiquita has moved to assure customers that shipments of fresh produce will not be affected by the bankruptcy filing of Eastwind Maritime this week.

The group said in a press statement that it did not expect the bankruptcy to adversely affect the delivery of its bananas and other fresh fruit products, with all 12 of the oceangoing ships that the company sold in 2007 remaining under long-term charter to Chiquita – including four ships sold to Eastwind.

The 12 refrigerated cargo vessels in question were sold to Eastwind for approximately US$227m and then leased back in 2007, transporting around 70 per cent of Chiquita bananas shipped to key markets in Europe and North America.

'We are taking appropriate steps to protect Chiquita's interests under these long-term charters,' said Waheed Zaman, Chiquita's senior vice-president for product supply organisation. 'While Chiquita's shipping operations represent only a comparatively small part of Eastwind's business, we have been monitoring developments closely and are working with other parties involved in the chartering relationships to help assure ongoing and timely service to our customers.'

Chiquita's announcement comes a day after Eastwind announced that it would be liquidating along with most of its affiliates, rather than opting to restructure, according to Reuters.

'In the judgement of the board of directors, it is desirable and in the best interests of the company, its creditors and other interested parties that the company file a petition for relief and commence a case under the provisions of Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code,' Eastwind said in a bankruptcy filing.