PERISHABLE SHIPPING SECTOR AT TPM26

 At TPM26, the intersection of tropical fruit production and global logistics is heavily represented by the specialized TPM Cold Chain track. 


Given the recent February 2026 merger between Hapag-Lloyd and ZIM, the conversations in Long Beach are centered on how this consolidation affects reefer capacity and "green lane" reliability.



1. Key Tropical Fruit Shipping Companies


The following companies are confirmed attendees and speakers, representing the largest players in refrigerated ocean transport and fruit commerce:



• Dole Ocean Cargo Express: A massive presence at TPM, managing the private and commercial fleet for Dole's global fruit distribution.



• Fyffes North America: Led by CEO Juan Alarcon (a featured TPM26 speaker), Fyffes is a primary driver of the banana and pineapple trade into the U.S.



• ZIM: Represented by Yael D’angeli (Global Head of Strategic Accounts), ZIM is currently the center of attention due to its acquisition by Hapag-Lloyd and its role in the new "New ZIM" entity focused on Israeli and Mediterranean fruit exports.



• CMA CGM: Recently signed a major 2026 deal with SIIM (Omer-Decugis Group) to move 80,000+ tons of bananas and pineapples annually from Colombia, Costa Rica, and Ecuador to Europe.



• Crowley Logistics: A dominant player in the Central American "Short Sea" trade, critical for melons and tropicals entering the U.S. Gulf and East Coasts.




2. Major Perishable Ports at TPM26

These ports have sent executive delegations to TPM26 to secure reefer contracts and showcase their cold-storage expansions:



• Port of Long Beach / Port of Los Angeles: The "host" ports and the primary gateways for the surge in Indian mangoes and Southeast Asian exotics following the early 2026 trade deals.



• PhilaPort (Philadelphia): The U.S. leader in specialized "winter fruit" and high-value tropicals (avocados, grapes). They are currently marketing their 13%+ growth in reefer capacity.



• Port of Savannah: Represented by the Georgia Ports Authority, Savannah is pitching its massive new on-dock refrigerated warehouse space as the "Port of Choice" for Southeast U.S. distribution.



• Port of Dunkirk (France): Emerging as a 2026 winner in Europe after securing the exclusive discharge rights for CMA CGM’s "NEWFI" service, taking tropical fruit volumes away from Rotterdam and Antwerp.



• Port of Caucedo (Dominican Republic): A key regional hub for Caribbean fruit consolidation and transshipment.



3. Specialized Cold Chain Logistics & Advisors


• Eskesen Advisory: Led by Thomas Eskesen and William C. Duggan, these advisors are the architects of the "Move to -15°C" coalition, focusing on reducing the carbon footprint of tropical fruit shipping.



• Americold & Lineage: The "Big Two" of cold storage, attending to manage the "last mile" ripening and distribution of the fruit once it leaves the ports.



• Agriculture Transportation Coalition (AgTC): Led by Peter Friedmann, this group represents the interests of U.S. and global ag-exporters in shipping negotiations.




Critical Discussion Point: The Hapag-ZIM Ripple


A major "hallway topic" at TPM26 is the Feb 2026 Hapag-Lloyd acquisition of ZIM. Because ZIM was a "niche reefer specialist," tropical fruit shippers are currently meeting with the new combined leadership to ensure that their specialized "white glove" fruit services aren't lost in Hapag-Lloyd’s massive, standardized network.


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