When fruit and vegetables go hand in hand with the cruise ship industry

Twenty-one logistics platforms located in as many marinas to meet the needs of cruise ships. This is the project planned and implemented by Conor over the course of a few years, increasing turnover from 3.5 million euros (in 2018) to 13 million in 2023. Several centers are also located near major airports.

Dario Guidi

"We started in 2018 as a business unit focused on the marine sector, so we experienced the crisis of the pandemic years almost immediately," says Sales Director Dario Guidi, "Now the scenario is completely different. To have an idea of the current trend in the sector, it is enough to consider that the booking of new cruise ships today will result in their delivery being postponed until 2027. This is a sector that we are passionate about and very happy with. Our growth is uninterrupted, and we are very motivated to look to the future for further efficiency and development. Our presence in Genoa is proof of this. We oversee the management and analysis of all the needs of the naval catering sector, thanks to a constant attention and study of the most varied customer needs, both in terms of products and services. Having product knowledge is certainly a value that distinguishes us, I would say one of the keys to our success, thanks to our affiliation with the Agribologna group."

The business unit currently serves 30 ports in Italy and Europe, providing a highly specialized and personalized service for all types of ships used in the cruise market and the maritime sector in general, from luxury charter yachts to large vessels with more than 6,000 passengers, as well as merchant ships, ferries and mining platforms. A wide range of over 400 references - available all year round - of conventional and organic fruit and vegetables for the fresh produce, fresh-cut and ready-to-eat segments, as well as micro greens, foliage, seaweed and edible flowers.

The pan-European logistics network provides a cooled and geolocated door-to-door delivery service, ensuring that the cold chain and product quality are maintained right up to the point of embarkation, focusing on the use of increasingly sustainable materials and continuous safety inspections.

The growth between 2022 and 2023 is particularly significant. With an increase of 31%, it is one of the leading companies in the European cruise market. In Europe, the share of cruise passengers is steadily on the rise, with 90% of guests saying they would do it again. This is expected to continue until 2024. It is estimated that the number of pax could exceed that recorded in 2019, with excellent results for Italy in particular. (Source: CLIA - Cruise Lines International Association).