Irish fresh produce multi-national Fyffes has signed a long-term contract to ship bananas in cool containers, with Rotterdam-based shipping company EWL (Europa West-Indië Lijnen).

The move is being hailed as a break-through in the banana-shipping business which traditionally sees the fruit transported in reefer containers or reefer vessels. The transition could transform the sector, the companies say especially if ports are no longer dependent on cold stores to be able to handle bananas.

The vessels committed to this line will carry bananas for only 20 per cent of their load initially, but it is the intention of Fyffes and EWL that the vessels will ultimately carry bananas for 50 per cent of their loads. However, these container vessels require certain modifications, to be able to accommodate as many reefer containers as possible. There are no plans however to ripen bananas in the containers.

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