Shipping companies Del Monte and CMA CGM transition to transporting produce in containers to enhance product quality
In a groundbreaking move, Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. and CMA CGM Group have joined forces to transport bananas and pineapples from the Philippines to Northeast Asia using containerized shipping. This partnership aims to improve cold-chain logistics and raise quality standards for perishable exports.
The new shipping system, operated by CNC, CMA CGM's intra-Asia short sea specialist, deploys full refrigerated containers on the JP8 route (Davao to Japan's major ports: Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, and Moji) and the BMX service (to Busan, South Korea). This containerized approach offers several benefits.
Improved Product Quality and Reduced Spoilage
Historically, bananas and pineapples for Japan and Korea were loaded and unloaded multiple times aboard breakbulk vessels, leading to temperature fluctuations, handling stress, increased spoilage rates, and inconsistent fruit quality. The new containerized model places produce inside climate-controlled units that function as mobile cold-rooms throughout transit, minimizing handling, sustaining consistent temperatures, and reducing waste.
Operational Efficiency and Logistical Agility
The transition to dedicated container vessels improves cold chain reliability, minimizes damage, and creates a more agile, scalable logistics model. This shift to direct routes enables more reliable and scalable transportation that better serves retail partners across Asia.
Environmental Advantages
Containerized shipping is more efficient, reducing fuel use and emissions per unit of cargo compared to breakbulk methods. The partnership with Fresh Del Monte reflects a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. CMA CGM has pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and Fresh Del Monte is committed to science-based emissions reduction targets.
Waste Reduction
Sustained quality and less spoilage during transit contribute to sustainability by minimizing product loss. The smart container technologies enable real-time monitoring of conditions during transit, ensuring optimal conditions are maintained throughout the journey.
CMA CGM's CLIMACTIVE controlled-atmosphere containers and smart container technologies have been incorporated into the new shipping system. These technologies slow down ripening and preserve nutritional content, further enhancing product quality and reducing waste.
The new arrangement extends visibility over the cold chain, offering extended visibility over the cold chain. Raul Saca, Senior Vice-President of Global Logistics at Fresh Del Monte, stated that this transition improves cold chain reliability, minimizes damage, and creates a more agile, scalable logistics model. Bo Wegener, Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM Asia Pacific, echoed these sentiments, stating that the partnership with Fresh Del Monte reflects a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.
In conclusion, the Fresh Del Monte-CMA CGM partnership demonstrates that containerized shipping offers significant benefits and environmental advantages for perishable exports like bananas and pineapples. By improving product quality, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing emissions, and minimizing waste, this partnership sets a new standard for perishable exports in the region.
[1] Fresh Del Monte and CMA CGM Partner to Transport Perishable Exports using Containerized Shipping, CMA CGM Group, [accessed 2022-06-20] [2] The Benefits of Containerization for the Global Supply Chain, World Shipping Council, [accessed 2022-06-20] [3] The Role of Smart Sensors in Cold Storage, Cold Chain Federation, [accessed 2022-06-20] [4] CMA CGM's CLIMACTIVE Containers Preserve Perishable Goods, CMA CGM Group, [accessed 2022-06-20]
- This partnership between Fresh Del Monte and CMA CGM, through the use of containerized shipping, not only enhances cold-chain logistics and raises quality standards for perishable exports but also offers environmental advantages.
- The new shipping system, utilizing CMA CGM's CLIMACTIVE controlled-atmosphere containers and smart container technologies, reduces fuel use and emissions, aligning with both companies' commitments to sustainability.
- The containerization approach, as shown in the Fresh Del Monte-CMA CGM partnership, not only improves product quality and operational efficiency but also contributes to lifestyle and food-and-drink sectors by reducing waste and ensuring sustainable perishable exports.
