Containerized transportation of produce adopted by Del Monte and CMA CGM to enhance product quality
A groundbreaking partnership between Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. and CMA CGM Group is revolutionizing the transportation of bananas and pineapples from the Philippines to Northeast Asia. This containerized shipping model not only improves environmental sustainability but also enhances produce quality.
Environmental Advantages
The containerized approach to shipping delivers environmental advantages by lowering carbon emissions through greater operational efficiency. By minimizing unnecessary handling and streamlining logistics, the new model optimizes fuel efficiency and reduces the carbon footprint, aligning with CMA CGM's net-zero carbon goal by 2050 and Fresh Del Monte’s science-based emissions reduction targets.
Quality Enhancements
The quality benefits of this innovative shipping arrangement stem from advanced cold chain technologies. The use of CMA CGM’s CLIMACTIVE controlled-atmosphere containers and smart container technology slows fruit ripening, preserves nutritional content, and extends shelf life by maintaining a consistent temperature-controlled environment throughout transit.
Real-time monitoring of container conditions provides enhanced cold chain visibility and reliability, improving freshness preservation from farm to retailer. This results in less waste, better fruit quality upon arrival, and greater customer satisfaction for retailers and consumers across Japan, South Korea, and Northeast Asia.
A Modernized Cold Chain Logistics Model
The new containerized shipping model replaces traditional breakbulk methods, which have been associated with increased spoilage rates and inconsistent fruit quality due to temperature fluctuations and handling stress. CMA CGM's expertise in fruits and fresh produce logistics offers improved solutions that add value to both producers and consumers.
The partnership between Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. and CMA CGM reflects a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. Raul Saca, Senior Vice-President of Global Logistics at Fresh Del Monte, stated that the transition to dedicated container vessels improves cold chain reliability, minimizes damage, and creates a more agile, scalable logistics model.
The new shipping arrangement continues to enhance cold-chain logistics and raise quality standards for perishable exports. It deploys full refrigerated containers on the JP8 route to Japan's major ports (Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, Moji) and the BMX service to Busan, South Korea. The JP8 route now delivers produce directly from Davao to the mentioned Japanese ports, while the BMX service provides a stable weekly connection to Busan.
The new containerized model places produce inside climate-controlled units that function as mobile cold-rooms throughout transit. This modernization of cold chain logistics represents a significant step towards meeting rising Asian market demands for premium fresh produce while advancing sustainability goals by reducing environmental impact.
The partnership between Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. and CMA CGM Group not only impacts the business realm of food-and-drink exports but also contributes to environmental sustainability through improved cold chain logistics and lower carbon emissions (environmental advantages). Leveraging CMA CGM's advanced cold chain technologies, such as CLIMACTIVE controlled-atmosphere containers and smart technology, helps maintain an optimal temperature-controlled environment, thereby preserving food quality and freshness (quality enhancements).
