MAERSK SALTORO

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Unloading and inspection of Chilean cherries from Maersk Saltoro completed

Regarding the fruit onboard the 'MAersk Saltoro' , the Chilean Cherry Committee executive director Claudia Soler has been in contact through the office in China from the beginning to provide information to the producers and exporters and send daily updates on the situation to the associates They have met at a general assembly to provide information and learn about the companies' situation. The objective was to be as coordinated as possible and informed to make decisions correctly and timely when necessary. Moreover, since last week, when the ship arrived in Nansha, the general manager of Frutas de Chile went to that market, together with professionals from the Agriculture and Livestock Service, and has held important meetings with the Chinese authorities to date to collaborate and coordinate the unloading and inspection activities of the more than 1,300 containers, mostly of cherries, which arrived at the port of Nansha. The Chinese authorities are very willing to ensure that the process is carried out in the best possible way and in compliance with the country's standards for commercializing the fruit. About 10% of checked containers did not meet marketing standards The CCR continued monitoring the entire process on the ground to continue supporting our partners and safeguarding the image of the category in the market, The cargo is estimated at more than $130 million, mainly in cherries. Other products, including blueberries, some containers of avocados, raisins, and other goods, were in transit to other Asian destinations such as Vietnam and Thailand. Containers were still being checked and the fruit has not been found fit to enter the market. Therefore, it was agreed to destroy all containers that do not meet the market quality and condition requirements. 800 containers had been unloaded from the vessel as of Feb. 25. The ship's unloading was completed by Feb. 26, and the ship continued to Hong Kong.

Cargo of cherries compromised after delay of four weeks

On Feb 17 the 'Maersk’s Saltoro' has finally arrived at the port of Nansha, 28 days later than scheduled, after breaking down in the Pacific Ocean. The vessel, part of the Cherry Express service, was carrying 1,353 containers of cherries from southern Chile, heading for China for the Chinese New Year celebrations. Although the power supply to containers was maintained and the cold chain remained unbroken, the fruit has arrived in poor condition according to Antonio Walker, president of the National Association of Agriculture (SNA), who inspected the containers on board the vessel. He warned that the quality of the cherries has been compromised, and that China could reject the entire cargo. Maersk and Chinese Customs were discussing the future of the merchandise. The evaluation of the conditions and quality of the fruit could take several days, given the high volume transported. As of Feb 18, no containers from the vessel have been released. Only 100+ containers have been unloaded, with 12 under inspection and requiring further evaluation. Maersk has proposed unloading the remaining 1,200+ containers in Nansha, leaving legal negotiations to their lawyers, importers, and China Customs. However, China Customs was unwilling to accept these containers, citing food safety concerns.

Container ship resumed voyage after temporary repairs

The 'Maersk Saltoro' was back underway on Feb 5, after drifting for 23 days in the Pacific following a main engine failure. The vessel previously drew attention when U.S. officials boarded it in Baltimore in Sept 2024 to conduct an inspection due to it being a sister ship to the 'Dali'. The vessel's main engine failed after having departed Chile on Dec 27. The tug company Pacific International reports that its Marshall Islands Towing and Salvage Company deployed a tug on Jan 22 which took aboard four technicians in Kosrae, in the Federated States of Micronesia, before proceeding to the 'Maersk Saltoro', which was adrift approximately 550 miles west of Pohnpei, also in Micronesia. Temporary repairs have been completed, and the schedule is now showing the ship will reach the Nansha New Port in China on Feb 18, depending on weather conditions during the remainder of the voyage. It will be a month behind schedule and then continuing to Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Ningbo. It is unclear when or where permanent repairs will be completed. Maersk as charter company was monitoring the situation and was in contact with the vessel’s owners. The ship and crew as well as its cargo were in no danger and the owners assured them the refrigerated containers were continuing to operate during the breakdown. The vessel was part of a seasonal service known as the Cherry Express. Growers were concerned because the vessel was loaded with 1,353 refrigerated containers of cherries shipped to China to coincide with the Lunar New Year’s celebrations. The worry was that the long transit times has affected the quality of the shipment and decrease its value in addition to the impact of the late arrival.