As a renowned logistics service provider, Heuer, based in Bremerhaven, is not just involved in the import of fruits, vegetables, and potatoes. It also exports Northern European fresh produce, such as apples, to India. The lengthy detours around the Cape of Good Hope now force maritime transport logisticians to seek alternative sea freight solutions for perishable goods. Consequently, in the last week of February, Heuer loaded a reefer container with CA technology for the first time, a groundbreaking innovation in European fruit export. By early April, the ship carrying a total of 23 tons of Polish Gala apples is expected to arrive in Nhava Sheva near Mumbai, Heuer's CEO Jan Zobel reveals.
The higher nitrogen content in the air (about 95%) significantly slows down the spoilage process of the pome fruits, allowing them to withstand the longer sea voyage without any problems. Compared to normal reefer containers, the CA containers are considerably (about $1,000) more expensive. "However, the shipper has the assurance that the goods will actually arrive fresh and without any loss of quality. Previously, the transit time from Northern Europe to India was 28 days, now it is at least 40 days. These are, of course, completely different conditions that we must face," Zobel describes. For the North German warehousing and transshipment operation, this is a pilot shipment. Nevertheless, they hope to secure regular orders in the future.
Jan Zobel (Heuer Logistics) and Filipe Almeida (Sales Manager Reefer Germany, ONE)
Until now, CA containers in European fruit and vegetable export were rather rare, as mostly longer-lasting products were shipped and transit times were usually short enough. The main users of the technology are primarily exporters of soft fruit and avocados from the southern hemisphere. However, Zobel speaks of an interesting niche business with high potential. After all, an average of 15 to 20 refrigerated containers are shipped to India weekly, with peaks of up to 50 containers.
Other potential destinations for CA shipments include Singapore, Malaysia, or Thailand. "If this develops into a growing pillar of our business, it's only a matter of time before other logistics service providers will offer this service as well. However, we have received special training, giving us a certain advantage over others. One must not forget that the technology is developing rapidly. There are, for example, CA containers in which bananas can continue to ripen during the sea voyage."
A glimpse into a CA container: According to Zobel, the Polish apple industry now also has the South American export market in its sights. This could give a further boost to fruit logistics at the North German seaports.
Start of the Egyptian early potato season
Independent of the CA topic, there have been numerous changes in the fruit and vegetable segment in recent years, Zobel continues. Instead of bananas and exotic fruits, which are now mostly handled in Western seaports, the North German ports are increasingly dealing with the handling of potatoes, such as early potatoes from Egypt. Zobel: "At the end of February, much earlier than usual, the first containers already arrived with us. Due to the relatively weak domestic potato harvest, we expect a very high number of containers this year and, considering the high demand, a correspondingly high flow of goods. It's even possible that we're facing a record year. However, this will only become clear after Easter, i.e., at the start of the high season. In addition, early eating potatoes from Israel as well as fries and chip potatoes from the Mediterranean region are being handled by us. Due to the European Football Championship in June, we expect increased demand in the latter segment this year."
For more information:
Jan Zobel
Heuer Transport Logistics GmbH 
Steubenstr. 20
27568 Bremerhaven
Office Bremerhaven: +49 (0) 471 / 48 73-165
Office Hamburg: +49 (0) 40 788 79-42
Fax: +49 471 48 73 - 25
Email: info@heuerlogistics.de
www.heuerlogistics.de