Refrigerated transport has become one of the most stressed sectors in international maritime trade. This was noted by experts. Bruce Marshall, Head of Reefer Solutions at Maersk, and Thomas Eskesen, Founder of Eskesen Advisory, during the webcast “Rates, global congestion and the impact on refrigerated transport: a TPM Cold Chain webcast”, attended by MundoMaritimo.

Both agreed that perishable products such as fruits, vegetables, animal proteins, and seafood depend on increasingly vulnerable refrigerated logistics. Global demand for fresh food is growing steadily, but supply chains face obstacles that jeopardize both the competitiveness of exporters and availability for end consumers.

Congestion, fares and the infrastructure crisis

One of the main problems identified is port congestion. In several major international hubs, terminal saturation causes significant delays in the unloading and transshipment of refrigerated containers. Added to this is the lack of available equipment, which increases transportation costs and complicates planning for exporters who depend on precise cycles to reach distant markets.

It was emphasized that the lack of predictability further exacerbates the situation. Planning weeks in advance no longer guarantees that cargo will arrive on time or that the cost will be as expected.

The webcast also addressed the role of port infrastructure in the current crisis. Many terminals lack sufficient capacity to handle large volumes of refrigerated containers, especially when multiple services arrive at the same time or as a result of the aforementioned delays and backlogs. In some ports, congestion forces cargo to be redirected to secondary terminals, which increases costs and lengthens routes.

For specialists, the solution lies not only in expanding physical infrastructure, but also in improving coordination between shipping lines, terminals, and customs authorities. Efficiency at these intermediate points can make the difference between delivering a fresh product and losing competitiveness in the market.

Latin America: opportunities and challenges

The situation has a direct impact on Latin America, one of the most dynamic regions for perishable exports. Countries like Mexico and Peru rely heavily on refrigerated logistics to maintain their presence in markets like the United States, Europe, and Asia.

In Mexico, the fruit and vegetable export season coincides with peak congestion at key ports, increasing the risk of quality loss. In Peru, its growing grape, blueberry, and fishery industry requires fast and stable routes to maintain the required standards at destination.

Delays not only affect the freshness of products, but also impact the confidence of international buyers, who depend on reliable supply chains. Any disruption can mean lost contracts or a drop in market-negotiated prices.

Even so, Latin America remains a significant opportunity. Market diversification, investment in specialized terminals, and the incorporation of traceability technology offer tools to address these challenges. The problem is that the pace of these improvements does not always keep pace with the growth in global demand.

perspectives

Looking ahead, it was noted that pressure on refrigerated transport will continue. While gradual adjustments in rates and equipment availability are expected, a quick solution is not foreseen.

Furthermore, investment in port infrastructure is key: new facilities with greater electrical connection capacity, automation, and more streamlined customs processes could alleviate some of the congestion.

In this scenario, logistics resilience emerges as a competitive factor. Exporters that manage to diversify routes, secure flexible transportation contracts, and adopt real-time monitoring technology will have an advantage in increasingly demanding international markets.

Finally…

Refrigerated transport is experiencing one of its most critical moments. Port congestion, high costs, and a lack of predictability are testing exporters' ability to meet global demand for fresh food. Furthermore, Latin America faces a dual responsibility: taking advantage of the boom in its products on the global market and, at the same time, investing in infrastructure and logistics efficiency to avoid losing ground.

Specialists agreed that the coming months will continue to be marked by tension in the cold chain. Overcoming this tension will depend not only on expanding capacity but also on achieving greater coordination and resilience across the entire logistics ecosystem.