PORT OF WILMINGTON, DE — A solid work ethic and an eye for detail have made Murphy Marine Services a key component of the port of Wilmington in one form or another for half a century. Though the company evolved into Murphy Marine 15 years ago, its roots at the port date back to the 1970s.

Over time, the business model has changed. As perishables have become a more important part of the port’s trade, Murphy Marine’s focus has been on understanding the supply chain from end to end to better serve customers’ needs.

Murphy Marine Services Vice President Pat Farrell and President John Coulahan both got their starts as longshoremen along the waterfront. That hands-on experience still drives and informs their daily decisions in the operation of the company. (Photo by Chip Carter)“The businesses at the port of Wilmington have to work together as a team,” said President John Coulahan. “Over the years, we’ve peeled away layers of obstructions to make things as seamless as possible for our customers. Many years ago, all each party was interested in was their specific function — for us it was, ‘Just get it off the ship.’ However in today’s marketplace, in order to provide better service to our customers it is essential that we know their business too. We need to understand what is driving our customers’ decision making so we are part of the same process. Business is extremely competitive, and our customers are always looking to drive excess cost out of their systems. We need to always be aware of that and be a proactive partner in their distribution system.”

“We work together and do what we can do to drive costs down,” Vice President Pat Farrell added. “It could be a nickel a pallet, but that nickel keeps the business here. Even if it’s only a penny a box, you take what the annual throughput on that is and the next thing you know it’s hundreds of thousands of dollars. It adds up fast. We have an in-depth knowledge of what the shipper, the shipping line and the end receiver are looking for and can assist in getting it through the supply chain as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Part of that knowledge is gained by visiting clients on their home turf — Chilean grape producers, Moroccan clementine growers, Central American banana growers, Argentinean pear and apple producers. “We just kind of want to touch and feel it before it gets here, and understand the supply chain from seed to the shelf,” Mr. Farrell said.

Last year, Murphy Marine Services and the port of Wilmington handled approximately 70,000 containers and 250,000 pallets of perishable commodities.

“On a daily basis, we ensure that we know what we need to know in order to provide a valued-added service to our customers,” Mr. Coulahan said. “The more you know about what’s driving them and their business, the easier it is to interact with them and offer some input and make a difference.”