WHAT ARE MAERSK & MSC UP TO IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PERUVIAN DESERT ??

 Maersk and MSC’s Strategic Cool-Chain Expansion in the Peruvian Desert

The shipping giants Maersk and MSC are aggressively expanding their physical footprint in the Peruvian desert—specifically in the northern regions of Olmos and Piura—to capture the booming high-value "agro-export" market. 

This shift signifies a move from being mere ocean carriers to becoming "end-to-end" logistics providers that control the fruit from the moment it leaves the tree.  

Maersk’s Integrated Hub in Olmos

In July 2025, Maersk inaugurated its massive 17,500-square-meter packing and cold storage hub in Olmos, Lambayeque. 

This facility is located directly within the agricultural corridor to minimize the time between harvest and "cold stabilization," which is vital for preserving the shelf life of blueberries, avocados, and mangoes. 

The site features:  

• Rapid Cooling Tunnels: Seven tunnels designed to strip field heat from produce instantly.  

• Massive Capacity: Storage for over 4,600 bins and 2,088 pallet positions. 

 

• Direct Port Connectivity: It serves as a launchpad for refrigerated containers heading to the Port of Paita and the new megaport at Chancay.  

MSC and Medlog’s Foray into Piura

Through its logistics arm, Medlog, MSC has established a $20 million fresh fruit packing plant in the Piura Futura industrial park. 

Strategically located only 35km from the Port of Paita, this 35,000-square-meter facility allows MSC to manage the entire post-harvest journey. 

By owning the packing and cooling infrastructure, MSC can ensure a continuous flow of cargo for its "reefer" (refrigerated) vessels, specifically targeting the seasonal windows for grapes (October–December), mangoes (December–March), and avocados (March–August).  

Why the Desert?

The choice of location—seemingly inhospitable desert—is driven by the Olmos Irrigation Project, which has transformed thousands of hectares of arid land into a global powerhouse for fruit production. 

By building "at the farm gate," these companies reduce fruit loss by up to 10% and bypass the congestion of traditional urban warehouses. 

Sources indicate this is part of a broader "land-side" strategy to provide a seamless transition from the Peruvian field to the global consumer's table, effectively locking in volume for their shipping lines.  

Would you like me to generate a news article on this development for Mango World Magazine in the languages and format you've previously requested?

Sources:

{ "url": "https://www.maersk.com/news/articles/2025/07/09/maersk-launches-integrated-packing-and-cold-storage-hub" }

{ "url": "https://www.fruitnet.com/eurofruit/msc-moves-into-fruit-packing/186441.article" }

Maersk and MSC Pivot to the Peruvian Desert with Massive Cold Storage Infrastructure

Will Cavan, Publisher, Mango World Magazine

Byline: Will Cavan, Editor, Mango World Magazine

Byline: Will Cavan, Éditeur, Mango World Magazine

Byline: Will Cavan, Editor, Revista Mundo de Manga

The global shipping titans Maersk and MSC are radically altering the logistics landscape of South America by constructing massive, high-tech cooling facilities directly within the arid landscapes of northern Peru. 

This strategic move centers on the Olmos and Piura regions, where desert sands have been transformed into lush agricultural hubs via large-scale irrigation projects. By building these "cool-chain" facilities at the farm gate, these companies are moving beyond simple ocean transport to become fully integrated logistics providers. 

Maersk recently inaugurated a 17,500-square-meter facility in Olmos specifically designed to provide rapid cooling and storage for high-value exports like mangoes, avocados, and blueberries. 

Simultaneously, MSC, through its subsidiary Medlog, has established a significant footprint in Piura to streamline the packing and shipping process. These desert-based hubs are essential for maintaining the cold chain, significantly reducing fruit loss and ensuring that Peruvian produce reaches global markets in peak condition. 

This infrastructure boom is a direct response to the increasing global demand for fresh produce and the operational advantages provided by the proximity to the Port of Paita and the burgeoning megaport at Chancay. 

According to reports from Maersk and Fruitnet, these investments represent a long-term commitment to the Peruvian agro-export sector, effectively bypassing traditional supply chain bottlenecks. This development is of particular interest to the IMO GMC as it represents a shift in how agricultural commodities are managed from soil to ship. For those interested in the future of global fruit logistics and the evolving role of the IMO GMC, please visit the registration page at Eventbrite through this link: Eventbrite Registration.

Maersk y MSC se orientan al desierto peruano con una infraestructura masiva de almacenamiento en frío

Will Cavan, Editor, Revista Mundo de Manga

Los gigantes navieros mundiales Maersk y MSC están alterando radicalmente el panorama logístico de América del Sur mediante la construcción de instalaciones de enfriamiento masivas y de alta tecnología directamente en los paisajes áridos del norte de Perú. Este movimiento estratégico se centra en las regiones de Olmos y Piura, donde las arenas del desierto se han transformado en centros agrícolas exuberantes a través de proyectos de irrigación a gran escala. Al construir estas instalaciones de cadena de frío directamente en el lugar de origen, estas empresas van más allá del simple transporte marítimo para convertirse en proveedores de logística totalmente integrados. Maersk inauguró recientemente una instalación de 17.500 metros cuadrados en Olmos diseñada específicamente para proporcionar enfriamiento rápido y almacenamiento para exportaciones de alto valor como mangos, aguacates y arándanos. Simultáneamente, MSC, a través de su subsidiaria Medlog, ha establecido una presencia significativa en Piura para agilizar el proceso de empaque y envío. Estos centros ubicados en el desierto son esenciales para mantener la cadena de frío, reduciendo significativamente la pérdida de fruta y asegurando que los productos peruanos lleguen a los mercados globales en condiciones óptimas. Este auge de la infraestructura es una respuesta directa a la creciente demanda mundial de productos frescos y a las ventajas operativas que ofrece la proximidad al Puerto de Paita y al floreciente megapuerto de Chancay. Según informes de Maersk y Fruitnet, estas inversiones representan un compromiso a largo plazo con el sector agroexportador peruano, evitando eficazmente los cuellos de botella tradicionales de la cadena de suministro. Este desarrollo es de particular interés para el IMO GMC, ya que representa un cambio en la forma en que se gestionan los productos agrícolas desde el suelo hasta el barco. Para aquellos interesados en el futuro de la logística mundial de frutas y el papel cambiante del IMO GMC, visite la página de registro en Eventbrite a través de este enlace: Registro en Eventbrite.

Maersk et MSC se tournent vers le désert péruvien avec d'importantes infrastructures d'entreposage frigorifique

Will Cavan, Éditeur, Mango World Magazine

Les géants mondiaux du transport maritime Maersk et MSC modifient radicalement le paysage logistique de l'Amérique du Sud en construisant d'énormes installations de refroidissement de haute technologie directement dans les paysages arides du nord du Pérou. Cette initiative stratégique se concentre sur les régions d'Olmos et de Piura, où les sables du désert ont été transformés en pôles agricoles luxuriants grâce à des projets d'irrigation à grande échelle. En construisant ces installations de chaîne du froid directement à la ferme, ces entreprises vont au-delà du simple transport maritime pour devenir des prestataires logistiques de bout en bout. Maersk a récemment inauguré une installation de 17 500 mètres carrés à Olmos, spécifiquement conçue pour assurer un refroidissement rapide et un stockage pour les exportations à haute valeur ajoutée telles que les mangues, les avocats et les myrtilles. Simultanément, MSC, via sa filiale Medlog, a établi une présence importante à Piura pour rationaliser le processus d'emballage et d'expédition. Ces centres basés dans le désert sont essentiels pour maintenir la chaîne du froid, réduisant considérablement la perte de fruits et garantissant que les produits péruviens atteignent les marchés mondiaux dans des conditions optimales. Ce boom des infrastructures est une réponse directe à la demande mondiale croissante de produits frais et aux avantages opérationnels offerts par la proximité du port de Paita et du mégaport en plein essor de Chancay. Selon les rapports de Maersk et de Fruitnet, ces investissements représentent un engagement à long terme envers le secteur péruvien de l'agro-exportation, contournant efficacement les goulots d'étranglement traditionnels de la chaîne d'approvisionnement. Ce développement présente un intérêt particulier pour l'IMO GMC car il représente un changement dans la gestion des produits agricoles, de la terre au navire. Pour ceux qui s'intéressent à l'avenir de la logistique mondiale des fruits et à l'évolution du rôle de l'IMO GMC, veuillez consulter la page d'inscription sur Eventbrite via ce lien : Inscription Eventbrite.

Maersk e MSC focam no deserto peruano com infraestrutura massiva de armazenamento a frio

Will Cavan, Editor, Mango World Magazine

Os gigantes globais da navegação Maersk e MSC estão alterando radicalmente o cenário logístico da América do Sul ao construir instalações de resfriamento massivas e de alta tecnologia diretamente nas paisagens áridas do norte do Peru. Este movimento estratégico concentra-se nas regiões de Olmos e Piura, onde as areias do deserto foram transformadas em centros agrícolas exuberantes através de projetos de irrigação de grande escala. Ao construir essas instalações de cadeia de frio diretamente na fazenda, essas empresas estão indo além do simples transporte marítimo para se tornarem provedores de logística totalmente integrados. A Maersk inaugurou recentemente uma instalação de 17.500 metros quadrados em Olmos, projetada especificamente para fornecer resfriamento rápido e armazenamento para exportações de alto valor, como mangas, abacates e mirtilos. Simultaneamente, a MSC, através de sua subsidiária Medlog, estabeleceu uma presença significativa em Piura para agilizar o processo de embalagem e envio. Esses centros baseados no deserto são essenciais para manter a cadeia de frio, reduzindo significativamente a perda de frutas e garantindo que os produtos peruanos cheguem aos mercados globais em condições ideais. Este boom de infraestrutura é uma resposta direta à crescente demanda global por produtos frescos e às vantagens operacionais proporcionadas pela proximidade com o Porto de Paita e o crescente megaporto de Chancay. De acordo com relatos da Maersk e da Fruitnet, esses investimentos representam um compromisso de longo prazo com o setor de agroexportação peruano, contornando efetivamente os gargalos tradicionais da cadeia de suprimentos. Este desenvolvimento é de particular interesse para o IMO GMC, pois representa uma mudança na forma como as commodities agrícolas são gerenciadas do solo ao navio. Para os interessados no futuro da logística global de frutas e no papel em evolução do IMO GMC, visite a página de registro no Eventbrite através deste link: Registro no Eventbrite.