Fresh Del Monte, CMA CGM adopt containerized shipping to raise produce quality

ASIA – Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. and CMA CGM Group have agreed on a new shipping model that will move bananas and pineapples from the Philippines to Japan and South Korea in refrigerated containers.

The companies say the change will improve cold chain management, reduce waste, and deliver fresher fruit to customers.

The move replaces traditional breakbulk shipping, where produce was loaded and unloaded several times during transit.

That process often exposed fruit to changes in temperature and rough handling, which affected quality. Now, produce will travel in climate-controlled containers that maintain consistent temperatures from origin to destination.

Raul Saca, Senior Vice President of Global Logistics at Fresh Del Monte, said, “Customer satisfaction starts long before the fruit reaches the shelf, it begins with how we move it. By transitioning to dedicated container vessels, we’re not only improving cold chain reliability and minimizing damage but also creating a more agile, scalable logistics model that better serves our retail partners across Asia.”

Direct services to Japan and South Korea

The new system uses CMA CGM’s JP8 route from Davao to Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, and Moji in Japan, and the BMX service, which provides a weekly connection to Busan in South Korea. CNC, CMA CGM’s intra-Asia short sea specialist, operates both services.

Each refrigerated container acts as a mobile cold room. The shipping lines have also introduced CLIMACTIVE controlled atmosphere containers and smart technology to track temperature, humidity, and other conditions in real time.

These systems slow ripening, preserve nutritional content, and give exporters more visibility over their supply chains.

Bo Wegener, Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM Asia Pacific, said, “This partnership with Fresh Del Monte reflects our shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction. 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.”

The containerized approach also cuts emissions by streamlining the transport process and reducing unnecessary handling.

CMA CGM has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, while Fresh Del Monte has set science-based targets to lower its environmental footprint.

The partnership comes at a time when global fruit exporters face growing pressure to improve supply chain resilience and meet stricter quality demands from retailers.

The companies believe that containerization offers both operational and environmental benefits, setting a new standard for how fresh produce moves across key Asian markets.

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