CMA CGM, SIIM expand Dunkirk as tropical fruit hub

December 3, 2025

CMA CGM and SIIM have signed a strategic 2026 agreement for the weekly transport of over 70 refrigerated containers of pineapples and bananas from Latin America to Dunkirk, consolidating more than 5,000 containers from Africa and Latin America.

From January 2026, the new NEWFI (PCRF XL) service will link Colombia, Costa Rica, and Ecuador directly to Dunkirk, marking the port as the first European call and shifting flows previously routed via Rotterdam and Antwerp.

The agreement represents an annual volume exceeding 80,000 tonnes, all transported by CMA CGM.

Pascal Hirn, Senior VP, CMA CGM, said: “By choosing CMA CGM and Dunkirk, SIIM confirms the reliability and performance of our service connecting Latin America, the Caribbean, and Northern Europe. New-generation vessels and the port’s operational capacities enable a regular, competitive, and sustainable service for tropical fruit importers.”

READ: CMA CGM becomes controlling shareholder of Santos Brasil

Vincent Omer-Decugis, CEO of Omer-Decugis & Cie, added that the agreement aligns with SIIM’s 2030 development plan, with 50 per cent of pineapple and banana volumes now transiting via Dunkirk.

He highlighted the upcoming ripening and logistics facility next to the container terminal, scheduled to open in summer 2027, supporting a decarbonised and sustainable supply chain.

Dunkirk-Port Deputy Managing Director, Daniel Deschodt, said the partnership showcases the port’s temperature-controlled logistics ecosystem, expanding Latin American imports while creating added value and jobs for the local community.

Through this agreement, SIIM will route over 10,000 TEU via Dunkirk in 2026, further consolidating the French port as a Northern European hub for fresh fruit and vegetables.

CMA CGM will reportedly enhance its service with seven vessels, increased reefer capacity, and a new call at Puerto Antioquia, strengthening its role as a key logistics partner for imports from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Recently, CMA CGM fully overhauled its IEX2 service and relaunched it as the TVI service, extending coverage from Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia to South-East India and Sri Lanka.