News / Port of Dunkirk gets a boost from CMA CGM/SIIM tropical fruit deal

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CMA CGM and fruit and veg shipper SIIM have bolstered their partnership and chosen the port of Dunkirk as a major component for a “regular, competitive, and sustainable” service.  

The ocean carrier and the specialist subsidiary of Omer-Decugis & Cie Group have signed a 2026 agreement for the weekly shipment of more than 70 reefers of pineapples and bananas from Latin America to Dunkirk.  

This partnership will see SIIM consolidate more than 5,000 containers from Africa and Latin America next year, representing an annual volume of more than 80,000 tonnes to be carried by CMA CGM.  

From January 70-plus reefer containers will be transported each week on the new configuration of CMA CGM’s NEWFI/ PCRF XL service, linking Latin America and Northern Europe. 

The service will include an exclusive discharge in Dunkirk, the first European port of call, which will boost the port’s position as France’s leading gateway for tropical fruits. These SIIM flows previously routed through the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp. 

This could indicate a tactical move to avoid what has become semi-regular congestion at Rottedam and Antwerp, particularly detrimental to perishable shipments.  

Pascal Hirn, SVP of CMA CGM Group in charge of shipping lines, said that by choosing Dunkirk for the transport of its fruit, SIIM “confirms reliability and performance”. 

Daniel Deschodt, deputy MD of Dunkirk-Port, said: “The strengthening of CMA CGM’s NEFWI service expands import opportunities from Latin America, while SIIM confirms, year after year, that it considers Dunkirk a major hub for the logistical handling of its flows.” 

SIIM has also commissioned a new ripening and logistics facility adjacent to the container terminal, planned for summer 2027 with construction due to begin in the spring. 

“This agreement reflects Omer-Decugis & Cie’s ambition to make Dunkirk, France’s leading port for the import of fresh fruit and vegetables in containers, the main port of destination for its products,” said the company, and added that beyond its West African mango and coconut campaigns, it would route more than 10,000 teu through the port next year.

With the changes to its NEWFI service linking the French West Indies, the Caribbean and Northern Europe, CMA CGM will increase deployment from six to seven vessels and add a new call at Puerto Antioquia, which will facilitate banana exports from Colombia.