Hapag-Lloyd has entered into a merger agreement with ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd., the world's 10th largest container shipping line. Under this agreement, Hapag-Lloyd will acquire 100% of ZIM's shares for $35.00 per share in cash, bringing the total transaction value to over $4 billion. The combined business will exceed 3 million TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) in capacity, with more than 400 vessels, enabling the transport of over 18 million TEU annually. Customers will benefit from a significantly enhanced network across major trade routes.

The global price of organic fruit and vegetables increased in Germany in 2025, and consumption remained firm. Fruit prices rose by 4.6 per cent in 2025, and vegetable prices by just 1 per cent, according to data from the AMI Consumer Mirror, in a report to be published in the February issue. The average price increase for organic fresh products in Germany in 2025 was 2.2 per cent, lower than in 2024.

Fresh Del Monte Produce has received approval from the US Bankruptcy Court to acquire select assets of California-based Del Monte Foods Corporation and its affiliates. This marks a significant milestone in a court-supervised sale process under Section 363 of the US Bankruptcy Code. The court ruling allows the transaction to advance to the pre-closing phase, providing regulatory and procedural certainty as the company moves through the remaining steps, including customary regulatory reviews and other closing conditions.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining will implement a $100 million recovery program for banana and plantain farmers following Hurricane Melissa, which devastated the country's commercial crops on October 28, 2025. The program, to be carried out by the Banana Board and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), aims to assist approximately 5,000 banana and plantain farmers and rehabilitate more than 2,500 hectares of damaged farmland.

Maintaining the highest standards of quality and food safety has become a key requirement for competing in European markets. In this context, Europlátano has renewed its IFS Food certification for 2026 at its plants in Tenerife South and Palomares, achieving the Higher Level—the top qualification granted by this international standard. This accomplishment positions Europlátano as the only company in the banana sector with this recognition in the Canary Islands.

Between January and November 2025, non-oil, non-mining exports solidified their role as Ecuador's primary source of foreign exchange. According to a report by the Ecuadorian Federation of Exporters (Fedexpor), published on January 19, 2026, these exports totalled $22.992 billion, reflecting year-on-year growth of 18%. They accounted for 68% of the country's total exports. This strong performance resulted in a total trade surplus of $5.796 billion, with a favourable balance of $4.644 billion in non-oil, non-mining exports. FedExpor emphasised that this sector has emerged as Ecuador's leading source of foreign exchange.

Maersk has finalised plans to reinstate regular sailings on its India-U.S. East Coast MECL service via the Red Sea and Suez Canal, following two successful trial voyages, according to the *Journal of Commerce* in New York. The new schedule is set to begin with a departure from India in late January or early February. A Maersk executive from the Middle East stated that MECL will soon permanently use the Suez route, although the company has not publicly confirmed any further details. The 6,648-TEU Maersk Sebarok navigated the Suez Canal in December, followed by the 6,200-TEU Maersk Denver this week. Both vessels are part of the MECL service that connects India to the U.S. East Coast.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has raised the civil penalty against the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to over $22 million for charging excessive late fees on non-operating reefer containers. This amount is an increase from the previous $16 million, as reported by New York's Journal of Commerce. The FMC's three commissioners partially overturned an administrative law judge's February 2025 ruling, which found the overcharges were a billing mistake. The investigation found that MSC charged shippers late fees on non-operating reefers at the higher rates typically charged for operating reefers throughout 2021.

CMA CGM has taken delivery of the CMA CGM Monte Cristo, a dual-fuel methanol container vessel with a capacity of 15,000 TEU. This delivery marks the company's fleet reaching 400 owned ships and initiates a six-ship series of newbuilds capable of operating on methanol, as stated in an official company announcement. The naming ceremony took place on January 21, 2026, in Tianjin. The CMA CGM Monte Cristo is designed as a new-generation dual-fuel methanol vessel, in line with the company's fleet renewal strategy. Built at the DSIC Tianjin Shipyard, the ship will fly under the Maltese flag. It has a maximum intake of 16,204 TEU, approximately 1,000 reefer plugs, a length of 366 meters, and a beam of 51 meters.

In week 04, banana selling price for Ecuadorian bananas, in St. Petersburg was USD 20.00 to USD 20.35 per box CIF on Monday and Tuesday. From Tuesday onward, traders aimed to achieve a price of USD 23.95 per box CIF, but they initially struggled to meet this target. Prices were according to brand, volume, packing and weight. Approximately 2.35 million boxes were discharged, and nearly 2.38 million boxes are expected for week 05. The exchange rate was 76.04 Rubles for 1 USD. Prices for Ecuadorian bananas in the Mediterranean ranged from USD 16.00 to USD 17.00 per box CIF, depending on the brand, volume, region, and packing.

The Association of Banana Exporters of Ecuador (AEBE), the world's leading banana exporter, has achieved BASC (Business Alliance for Safe Trade) certification, becoming the first banana organisation globally to earn this international safety standard. The accreditation was announced during AEBE's annual assembly and highlighted in a statement from the association. "This recognition is the result of collective effort and sends a clear message to international markets: the Ecuadorian banana sector operates with high standards of safety, trust, and responsibility," stated AEBE President Jorge Encalada.

After more than 20 years of research, Argentina's National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) is beginning to see concrete results from a genetic improvement program that could reshape banana production in the country's north. In Laguna Naineck, Formosa, researchers have developed 30 advanced Cavendish banana lines adapted to local growing conditions, offering higher yields, improved commercial quality, and greater disease resistance.

Belgian authorities have intensified their crackdown on organised drug crime at the port of Antwerp, suspending more than 300 employees after they failed new drug-related security checks and reporting another rise in cocaine seizures in 2025. Since the beginning of the year, police have been screening workers in ports across Belgium as part of stricter security measures aimed at keeping individuals with links to drug trafficking out of sensitive positions. Around 16,700 people—mainly office staff at the ports of Antwerp and Bruges—have been screened so far, with roughly 1.9% receiving a negative assessment. Many of those employees were suspended immediately.

The DP World Callao terminal in Peru has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first port terminal on South America's West Coast to handle over 2 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) in a year. The record volume represents a 22% increase compared to 2023, the year before the commissioning of the Bicentennial Pier, underscoring the terminal's support for Peru's growing trade volumes. In 2024, DP World Callao managed 1.96 million TEU. This achievement reflects ongoing investments in infrastructure, expanded capacity, and operational efficiencies that continue to strengthen Callao's position as a leading regional logistics hub.

Sun Meijun, Minister of China's General Administration of Customs, and Vladimir Cuno, Minister of Agricultural Development and Irrigation of Peru, have announced the signing of phytosanitary protocols for the export of fresh bananas and pomegranates to the People's Republic of China. Minister Cuno and Minister Sun led the signing ceremony.