Seatrade Clerici

Italian perishable logistics and handling company Clerici Logistics Group (CLG) has apparently signed a new three-year contract with Antwerp-based reefer shipping company Seatrade to manage its banana shipments via the Port of Genoa, according to reports.

CLG recently sold the Genoa Fruit Terminal to logistics and construction firm Gruppo Gavio but continues to act as Seatrade's shipping agency at the port, where the shipping operator discharges around 3.5m cartons of bananas every year.

Meanwhile, CLG has confirmed it is investing some €2.5m in the development of a new distribution centre close to the Port of Livorno on the coast of Lazio, in central eastern Italy.

The new facility, due to open later this year, is expected to offer storage capacity for around 2,500 pallets across an area of 4,800m2.

In January of this year, CLG signed a deal with fresh produce multinational Dole and Salerno Fruit Terminal to manage shipments of bananas via the southern Italian port, adding to Dole’s existing point of entry into the Italian market, Livorno.