Cherries from Chile: How Hapag-Lloyd delivers freshness across the globe
The Cherry Express season is coming to an end, and Chile’s thriving cherry industry has been bustling with activity. From orchards to shipping ports, every season the race is on to deliver the prized fruit to global markets at the peak of freshness. A key player in Chile’s cherry export sector is Hapag-Lloyd, ensuring seamless transport during the crucial harvest months. Employees as Nicolas Ruiz are constantly checking if everything is working as it should. As the demand for cherries soars, particularly in China, the 2024 season has presented challenges and opportunities that have tested the limits of innovation and collaboration
A race against time and nature
Navigating the 2024 cherry season has been no small feat. The fruit fly outbreak loomed large as a potential disruptor, threatening to impact nearly a third of Chile’s harvest. But Hapag-Lloyd quickly responded, spearheading a cold treatment protocol that safeguarded the fruit while maintaining tight shipping schedules.
“It’s all about precision and teamwork,” shared Nicolas Ruiz, Sales Director in the Area Chile. "With so much at stake, every detail matters. The collaborative effort between our operations, health authorities, and warehouses ensured that no stone was left unturned in protecting the cargo.” The result? Cherries traveling thousands of miles to markets like Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Busan, arriving as fresh and vibrant as the day they were picked.
Technology on the front lines
This year, technological breakthroughs have added a new dimension to Hapag-Lloyd’s logistical prowess. Amid the hum of port activity and the meticulous monitoring of reefer containers, Hapag-Lloyd Live has emerged as a game-changer.
Imagine this: as containers packed with cherries depart Valparaiso (Chile), their onboard sensors spring to life, transmitting real-time updates on temperature, humidity, and cold treatment status. These updates flow seamlessly into Hapag-Lloyd’s cloud-based system, allowing for immediate adjustments if needed.
For exporters, this level of visibility has been revolutionary. With Hapag-Lloyd Live, customers now have a clear window into their cargo’s journey, gaining vital insights that help them make informed decisions.
The collaboration behind the tech
The rollout of Hapag-Lloyd Live in the 2024 season was a testament to global teamwork. Engineers and logisticians in Chile and Germany worked hand-in-hand with the Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) to bring this cutting-edge system to life. Their efforts ensured the technology was fully operational just in time for the cherry season’s busiest weeks.
DCSA, a non-profit organization devoted to digitalizing and standardizing the shipping industry, played a pivotal role in this innovation. Thanks to this partnership, the cherries are not just moving – they’re monitored, managed, and cared for at every step of their journey.
Adding to this, one latest milestone achieved this season, is Hapag-Lloyd's first Application Programming Interface (API) for Hapag Lloyd Live. “We integrated API with one of our top reefer customers GLOBAL REEFERS. This is where you see all the work and support of all the local Chile Team along with the Global Headquarter that has been a key factor for our great achievements. We’re thrilled that its finally fully operating”, Nicolas proudly emphasized.
A cornerstone of the Cherry Express
As Hapag-Lloyd Live takes center stage, other technological advancements have also bolstered the Cherry Express. The HID (Hapag-Lloyd Immobilization Device), for example, provides unparalleled control over cold treatment processes, ensuring each container adheres to stringent quality standards. “These tools aren’t just about efficiency,” noted Ruiz. “They represent our promise to our customers – to go above and beyond, setting a new benchmark for the industry.”
A faster route to freshness
The Cherry Express service itself has long been a marvel of logistical ingenuity. Each November through January, Hapag-Lloyd alters its vessel rotations to offer a direct, nonstop route from Valparaiso to Hong Kong (China). This express service shaves five critical days off the typical journey, reducing transit time to just 22 days.
The heart of this operation is meticulous planning. During cherry season, reefer containers receive exclusive handling at the first port of discharge. This ensures that the fruit is on its way to Chinese markets with minimal delay—a key factor in preserving freshness and maximizing value.
Chile’s cherry boom
Chile’s cherry industry is experiencing an unprecedented boom. Last season, the country exported more than 22.400 containers of cherries, with China accounting for an astonishing 94% of purchases. This demand has only intensified, prompting Chilean exporters and Hapag-Lloyd to scale up operations.
To keep pace, Hapag-Lloyd has continued investing in its reefer fleet, equipping containers with advanced cooling systems that maintain temperatures between -1°C and -0.5°C. This precision ensures the cherries’ journey across the Pacific is as smooth as possible, preserving their vibrant appearance and taste.
Looking ahead
As the Cherry Express enters its final weeks for 2024, the lessons learned this season are already shaping plans for the future. The integration of advanced technology, the collaborative spirit across continents, and the relentless pursuit of excellence have solidified Hapag-Lloyd’s position as a leader in logistics innovation. “Our goal is always to stay one step ahead,” Ruiz reflected. “Every challenge we overcome strengthens our ability to deliver for our customers, ensuring their success becomes our success. That’s what drives us forward.” For now, as containers of bright red cherries continue their journey across oceans, one thing is clear: in the fast-paced world of perishable logistics, Hapag-Lloyd is setting a standard that others can only aspire to follow.
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