Shipping and logistics specialist announces sweeping commercial expansion to offer new cold-chain links across Americas and Europe
Ocean carrier and temperature-controlled logistics specialist Great White Fleet (GWF) has unveiled plans for a major commercial expansion of its trade networks across Europe and the Americas.
Announcing the move, the group said it would “significantly scale” capacity for global perishables and frozen cargo producers ahead of this year’s fourth-quarter peak season, with the addition of an extra ship, new containers, and other strategic, multimodal routes.
At the core of the infrastructure upgrade is the launch of Chiquita Enterprise, its 14th active vessel, which is due to enter service in late 2026.
To support the expanded fleet, GWF said it would also roll out 2,000 new refrigerated containers by December.
These are equipped with Carrier Transicold’s latest OptimaLine technology, which uses advanced atmosphere control in transit to extend the shelf-life of high-value commodities – including avocados, berries, citrus, and grapes – over long distances.
To optimise transit times and provide greater routing flexibility for its “ever-growing” network of international clients, GWF said it was also targeting three major transit corridors from October 2026:
North American Inland Link: A new, direct train route to connect the Midwest US via the central rail hub of Harvey, Illinois to Gulfport, Mississippi for exports into Central America.
Peru to USA Northeast (Philadelphia) Service: A direct ocean route designed to accelerate south-to-north, seasonal produce logistics into the US Northeast.
Ecuador to Global Markets Express: A new ocean service that links Guayaquil, Ecuador, directly to major US and European ports.
“Deploying the Chiquita Enterprise and injecting 2,000 high-spec reefers into our network directly addresses the industry’s demand for reliable, high-precision cold chain capacity,” said Stefano di Paolo, president of Great White Fleet.
“We are protecting our clients’ margins by preserving product quality across longer distances. Our aim, after all, is to be First in Fresh!”
GWF director Simon Cole added: “These new ocean and rail connections greatly expand service offerings and improve destination flexibility. By linking Chicago directly to Gulfport, and opening faster lanes out of Peru and Ecuador, we are giving global shippers the agility they need in a dynamic supply chain environment.”
Decarbonisation and community impact
As part of its fleet renewal strategy, GWF said it was also actively mitigating the environmental impact of its expanded operations.
The company said it had carried trials on marine biofuels, deploying energy-efficient refrigeration units, and using shore-power systems (port electrification) to eliminate so-called ‘hoteling’ emissions produced while docked at ports.
It noted that these operational standards aligned with GWF’s broader commitment to ISO and SA8000 social accountability certifications, which include direct funding for infrastructure and education in its primary port communities.
Ship owners, logistics managers, and trade media are invited to visit the group at Fruit Attraction in Madrid next month, where GWF executives will debut the expanded service network and container technologies.
