MSC is at risk of a $63 million fine from the United States Federal Maritime Commission for alleged violations of the Shipping Act. The Geneva-based company is accused of unfair commercial practices, explicitly charging excessive penalties for delays and counter-delays on non-operational refrigerated containers and incorrectly billing companies that had no contractual relationship with the shipping company.

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In St. Petersburg, banana selling prices ranged from USD 18.50 to 19.05 per box CIF, depending on the brand, volume, quality, and packing. Approximately 1.75 million boxes were discharged in week 14, with around 1.18 million boxes projected for week 15. The situation has improved in the former USSR republics of Central Asia as the volumes of imported Chinese bananas have nearly vanished. The exchange rate was 1 USD = 92.31 RUB, and the year-on-year inflation in the Russian Federation was 7.7%. Mediterranean prices ranged from USD 18.0 per box CIF for Ecuadorian bananas, depending on brand, volume, and region. The highest prices were achieved in Libya, around USD 19.0 per box CIF and USD 17.0 per box CIF for bananas of Central American origin, and in Algeria, where the price reached USD 23.0 per box CIF. According to local traders, new import licenses have been released, and Charterers required specialised reefer vessels for prompt loading to arrive at discharge ports Algiers or Orane within April. The first spot vessel might only be load-ready in Ecuador after 10-14 days, depending on the transit of the Panama Canal. There were no confirmations of any fixture for that destination, and bananas are expected to be shipped by container.

Colombia's banana export destinations continue to be dominated by the European Union, which absorbs 68% of total sales, followed by the U.S. with 16% and the U.K. with 15%. At the recent General Assembly of Affiliates of the Association of Banana Growers of Colombia (AUGURA), the crucial role banana producers have played for more than 60 years in the economic, social, and labour growth of the regions where they operate was highlighted. With a solid commitment to social investment, producers in the Urabá region have allocated an impressive 650,000 million pesos in housing, infrastructure, education, and health projects by 2023.

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MSC has established the largest capacity for refrigerated containers, reinforcing its position as the top liner operator. According to Alphaliner's report, MSC's fleet has expanded by nearly 20% over the past year, with its 815 ships equipped with 583,700 reefer plugs, marking an increase of almost 18%. Ocean Network Express (ONE) is the only company with more significant growth in the number of reefer plugs, at approximately 23%. This pan-Japanese carrier increased its overall fleet by 17.5%.

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On April 5, 2024, a diplomatic crisis was sparked between Ecuador and Mexico due to comments made by the Mexican President about the assassination of a presidential candidate in Ecuador. The Government in Quito declared the Mexican ambassador, Raquel Serur Smeke, persona non grata on the evening of April 4, with plans for the diplomat to be swiftly recalled to Mexico.

Anticipating a 15% increase in export volumes this year due to bountiful harvests, Transnet Port Terminals (TPT) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring another successful citrus fruit season in South Africa. To accommodate the volume surge, all container terminals across KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) will feature dedicated lanes for refrigerated containers at the gates, says Michelle van Buren Schele, TPT's General Manager of Commercial and Planning.

A Turkish freight forwarder chartered a vessel that delivered the first containers to Ukraine's Black Sea ports in Greater Odesa since the war began in February 2022. This marks a significant increase in the country's capacity to handle goods entering and exiting its ports. The general cargo vessel T-Mare, flying under the Panamanian flag and owned by Majoris Trading of the Marshall Islands, was chartered on February 1, according to VesselsValue data.

Del Monte, a global produce producer and distributor, has introduced a pineapple that is just the right size for one person. Inspired by the pulse pineapples common in Thailand, this new product is designed with individual consumers in mind. In March, Del Monte announced the launch of the Precious Honeyglow pineapple, a "personal-sized" fruit that weighs only 1.5 to 2 pounds, about half the size of an average pineapple.

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The value-added tax (VAT) is nearing the end of its first week since the increase from 12% to 15% took effect on April 1 in Ecuador. Export-focused productive sectors are evaluating the impact of this hike, determining whether they can absorb it or if it will be reflected in the final price of their products, such as the banana box. The banana sector is conducting these analyses amidst a 3% decrease in fruit exports in January and February of the previous year, translating to approximately two million fewer boxes exported compared to the same period in 2023.

Ocean Network Express (ONE) has commenced a trial shipment of the world's first dual-temperature reefer container with controlled atmosphere (C.A.) functions. This innovative container can maintain perishable cargo in different temperature zones, significantly advancing marine transportation.

Dole plc, the Dublin-based company, has cancelled the sale of its fresh vegetable’s unit to Fresh Express. This decision comes more than a year after the deal was announced with Fresh Express's parent company. In January of the previous year, Dole agreed to sell its U.S. vegetable division to Fresh Express, a subsidiary of Chiquita Brands International, for $293 million.