Cold Chain Upgrade? Fresh Del Monte and CMA CGM Deliver
Fresh Del Monte, a producer, marketer and distributor of fruit and vegetables, has partnered with logistics solutions provider CMA CGM Group to introduce containerised shipping services for fresh banana and pineapple exports.
The partnership marks a significant departure from traditional methods, increasing quality, reliability and cold chain precision for imports in Northeast Asia.
Why is Fresh Del Monte moving away from breakbulk vessels?
For decades, breakbulk vessels have been the standard in transporting bananas and pineapples to Japan and Korea.
However, these cargo ships are designed to transport large, heavy or irregular items that cannot be containerised, which results in such legacy methods exposing the fruit to fluctuating temperatures and being handled multiple times, creating challenges for maintaining fruit quality.
By moving to fully containerised shipments, Fresh Del Monte and CMA CGM are delivering a strategic leap in logistics excellence.
“Customer satisfaction starts long before the fruit reaches the shelf—it begins with how we move it,” said Raul Saca, SVP, Global Logistics at Fresh Del Monte.
He adds: “By transitioning to dedicated container vessels, we’re not only improving cold chain reliability and minimising damage but also creating a more agile, scalable logistics model that better serves our retail partners across Asia.”
Unlike breakbulk methods, the new containerised approach keeps fruit in consistent, temperature-controlled conditions from farm to customer. It also has carbon footprint benefits due to inherent efficiency.
The results are more capacity, less waste and consistently better bananas and pineapples for retailers and consumers.
“This partnership with Fresh Del Monte reflects our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction,” says Bo Wegener, Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM Asia Pacific.
He adds: “In addition to benefits from containerization, CMA CGM’s expertise in fruits and fresh produce logistics offers improved solutions that add value to both producers and consumers.”
CMA provides the following routes:
- JP8 Service – A newly enhanced route offering fast, direct connections from Davao to Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe and Moji, ensuring efficient delivery to Japan.
- BMX Service – A flagship route providing a premium, stable weekly connection from Davao to Busan, South Korea.
Sustainable and environmental benefits
In addition to operational efficiency, containerised shipping brings environmental advantages.
CMA CGM has been investing in eco-friendly vessels, such as LNG-powered ships and biofuel-compatible engines.
By reducing handling, optimising space and cutting port time, containerised solutions generate lower emissions per unit of cargo.
Fresh Del Monte’s shift aligns with its corporate sustainability goals, helping to reduce food waste and carbon emissions across the value chain.
The move also reflects a growing trend in agrifood logistics, prioritising climate-conscious practices without compromising on freshness or quality.