In 1972, Del Monte made the port its "principal North American port-of-discharge" for bananas and pineapples.

[4][5][6] In 2011, the Port sought to expand operations to include new construction of a berth suitable for container ships on the Delaware River.

[11] The Port of Wilmington handles fresh fruit, bananas, juice concentrate, automobiles, steel, forest products, livestock, petroleum, and other cargo.

The port has handled specialized cargo such as Antares rocket parts from Ukraine and wind turbine blades from South America.

[7] Dole Food Company operations make the port the largest facility in the United States for banana imports.