Developed in partnership with Oppy and the Port of Wilmington, the model creates a more efficient flow from origin to market
Maersk has launched a new cold chain solution to facilitate the import of agricultural products from Chile to the US East Coast, with a particular focus on table grapes that require phytosanitary treatment.
The model was developed in partnership with fruit importer and distributor Oppy and the Port of Wilmington, North Carolina. The solution integrates cargo handling in Chile, ocean freight, port unloading, fumigation at destination, refrigerated storage, and ground distribution in the US market into a single operation.
The initiative seeks to address one of the main bottlenecks facing shipments of regulated fruit: the limited capacity available for phytosanitary treatments at some of the traditional ports of entry into the US.
When the fumigation infrastructure is saturated, fruit can face longer wait times, extended stays in port, and an increased risk of spoilage. To reduce this exposure, the new solution moves the fumigation process to the destination and coordinates it with the rest of the cold chain services.
According to Maersk, the new capacity will not be limited to table grapes, but also used for other produce imports including blueberries, citrus and asparagus.
End-to-end model
“This solution was designed end-to-end, from operations at the source in Chile to delivery in the United States,” said Le Harlin, head of growth enablement–cold chain at Maersk North America.
He explained that by integrating maritime transport, port operations, fumigation, refrigerated storage, and land logistics, the company can provide its clients with greater visibility and control, facilitating the movement of regulated products, especially grapes, more efficiently and at a larger scale.
The solution was developed over six months, during which fumigation capacity at the Port of Wilmington was expanded through new permits and infrastructure improvements. This allows cargo to move seamlessly from unloading the vessel to treatment and then to distribution, supported by cold storage facilities located near the port.
The Port of Wilmington reported that the new treatment capabilities are located close to the berths and allow for faster fruit processing. The terminal also has more than 1,500 connections for refrigerated containers, designed to maintain the temperature of sensitive cargo during its time in port.
“By combining fumigation at the destination with integrated cold chain services, we were able to help create a more efficient flow from origin to market, while maintaining the reliability required by fresh produce supply chains,” Le Harlin said.
Pilot developed during the 2026 season
The new system was tested during the 2026 Chilean table grape season using weekly ocean freight services to Wilmington. Shipments were supported by coordinated fumigation processes at the destination and ground distribution from North Carolina.
According to Maersk, the pilot programme accelerated fruit availability and reduced transportation costs compared to alternative routes. The company, however, did not provide specific figures on the amount of cargo moved or detail the magnitude of the savings or time reductions achieved during the trial.
North Carolina Ports executive director Brian Clark said the season’s success was due to a combination of the confidence of trading partners and investments made in infrastructure for perishable goods.
According to Clark, the new facilities allow for faster and more efficient service in areas directly connected to the port sites. The port authority indicated that these capabilities aim to solidify Wilmington as a gateway for refrigerated cargo on the U.S. East Coast.
Maersk and Oppy received a Pioneer Award from the Port of Wilmington for their collaboration in implementing the project.
