The Cherry Express season is coming to an end, and Chile's cherry industry has been bustling with activity. From orchards to shipping ports, every season the race is on to deliver the fruit to global markets. A key player in Chile's cherry export sector is Hapag-Lloyd, ensuring transport during the crucial harvest months. Employees such 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 travel thousands of miles to markets like Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Busan, arriving as fresh as the day they were picked.
Technology on the front lines
This year, technological breakthroughs have added a new dimension to Hapag-Lloyd's logistics. 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 into Hapag-Lloyd's cloud-based system, allowing for immediate adjustments if needed.
For exporters, this level of visibility has been good. 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 system to life. Their efforts ensured the technology was fully operational just in time for the cherry season's busiest weeks.
A cornerstone of the Cherry Express
As Hapag-Lloyd Live takes the stage, other technological advancements have also bolstered the Cherry Express. The HID (Hapag-Lloyd Immobilization Device), for example, provides 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."
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For more information:
Nils Haupt
Hapag-Lloyd
Tel: +49 40 3001-2263
Email: [email protected]
www.hapag-lloyd.com