Dole

Dole Fresh Fruit Company, a subsidiary of fresh produce group Dole Food Company, has been awarded the 'Friend of the Seafarer' award by the Wilmington Seaman's Centre in the US.

The award was handed to the group in recognition of the 'exceptional treatment and conditions Dole's seafarers and maritime employees receive both on the vessel and at its terminal', in addition to the group's ongoing support of Wilmington Seaman's Centre.

Stuart Jablon, vice-president of operations for Dole North America, received the award at a banquet event held at the Port of Wilmington last week.

Dole Fresh Fruit International's Reefership Marine Services' vice-president of operations Robert Mant said: 'I am very proud of this award and our teams. This group, assisted by a team of coordinators, and significantly by the ship's captains and chief engineers are the ones that have raised the standards of how Dole interacts and treats our seagoing staff and continuously strives to improve the work place for them.'