The AE15 shipping service, previously operating around the Cape of Good Hope, will now take the shorter route through the Suez Canal after improved security assessments. On July 6, 2026, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd announced this route change for their AE15 service under the Gemini Cooperation network. Previously, vessels on this service sailed around the Cape of Good Hope due to security concerns in the Red Sea; however, they will now transit the Red Sea via the Suez Canal.

The Moín Container Terminal (TCM) in Costa Rica has announced a plan to invest USD 7.1 million in 2026 to improve its operational capacity, advance technological innovation, and enhance operational sustainability. Costa Rican foreign trade is experiencing significant growth. In May 2026, TCM reported its highest-ever operational volume, totalling 64,722 container movements, including 20,069 export movements. This strong performance reflects the success of the export sectors utilising the terminal to access international markets.

Cool Carriers has taken delivery of Snow Flake, the second vessel in its new-generation Snow-class series, following the arrival of its sister ship, Snow Flower, three months earlier. The vessel was officially named on June 29 at Kitanihon Shipbuilding in Japan during a ceremony attended by Chief Executive Officer Mikhail Ganyushin and Nikolay Pavlyuchenko, General Manager of Unireefer, the company's general agent in Ecuador, Peru, and Argentina.

Maersk has introduced a new weekly ocean service connecting the Adriatic Sea with the Eastern Mediterranean, developed in partnership with ONE. This Adriatic Service links the ports of Koper, Venice, Rijeka, and Ancona with Damietta and Port Said, providing direct access from the Adriatic region to Egypt, along with onward connections throughout the broader Mediterranean.

Lithuania's Limarko Shipping Company has purchased its first bulk carrier, Limarko Norte, from an undisclosed Japanese firm for $20.5 million (€17.99 million). Built in China in 2018, this vessel has a deadweight capacity of 40,000 tonnes, raising the company's total transport capacity from 80,000 to 120,000 tonnes.

With deep sorrow we announce the passing of Mr. Pasquale Mastricci an Italian entrepreneur of great experience and for decades a leading figure in the international banana trade. Since 1992 he worked with passion and competent in Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and other producing countries, contributing to the development of commercial relations between Latin America and Europe.

Brazilian banana exports declined significantly in April after a strong start to the year, primarily due to rising regional supply and intensified Competition, which reduced international demand. In April, Brazil exported approximately 5,952 short tons of bananas, a 22 per cent decrease from March, according to data from Hortifruti Brasil. Additionally, FOB revenue fell by 30 per cent to $24.13 million, according to Comex Stat.

In the first quarter of 2026, the Piura department of Peru reported exports totalling US$954 million, marking an 11.6% increase compared to the same period in 2025, according to SUNAT data reported by ComexPerú. This figure accounted for 3.5% of Peru's total exports during that period, which reached US$27.217 billion. Lima led the nation in exports, totalling US$ 3.714 billion, followed by Arequipa at US$ 3.057 billion, Ica at US$ 3.026 billion, Áncash at US$ 2.558 billion, and Puno at US$ 2.409 billion.

In St. Petersburg, the price of bananas during week 23 averaged around USD 16.60 per box CIF, with sales ranging from USD 15.25 to USD 16.60 per box CIF, depending on the brand, volume, and packaging. Nearly 1.93 million boxes were discharged, and approximately 1.243 million boxes are expected in week 24. The exchange rate was 74.30 RUB for 1 USD. In the Mediterranean, prices for Ecuadorian bananas ranged from USD 18.00 to USD 20.00 per box CIF, varying by brand, volume, region, and packaging. Central American bananas were sold for approximately USD 2.00 per box less.

In a striking scene for Colombia's Urabá region—a mangrove area nestled between the Caribbean Sea and Panama—a Super-Post Panamax ship, capable of carrying 15,000 containers, is docked at a 1,340-meter offshore platform. This platform, connected to the land by a 3.8-kilometre viaduct, was designed by the French company Eiffage. It serves as the gateway to Puerto Antioquia, a massive port inaugurated this year, designed to reduce the distance between Colombia's producing regions and European markets.

JBS Terminais, a part of JBS, is expanding its international shipping services at the Port of Itajaí (SC) by adding two new long-haul lines, bringing the total to 12. The company plans to invest approximately R$ 9 million in this expansion. The new "UCLA/Gulf to SAEC String 1" line will connect Itajaí to the east coast of the U.S., the Caribbean, and northern South America, serving markets like Houston and Cartagena.

Farmers in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, are increasingly adopting organic farming practices for banana cultivation. Notably, farmers along the banks of the Ganga River are also engaging in horticulture. As part of the 'Namami Gange' project, there is a growing trend among farmers in the Prayagraj region to utilise organic farming methods, driven by efforts to reduce the excessive use of chemicals and pesticides.

Costa Rica's agricultural sector is bracing for a strong El Niño phenomenon expected to begin in the latter half of this year and potentially extend into 2027. Producers are adapting by adjusting planting schedules, reinforcing irrigation and drainage systems, and enhancing pest monitoring to mitigate risks associated with drought, heat, and unpredictable rainfall.

Disease outbreaks, competitive pressures, and market requirements are compelling banana exporters to modify production methods, invest in technology, and enhance the quality of their cultivation areas to maintain export momentum. In April 2026, large areas of the Cavendish banana plantation owned by Union Trading Investment JSC in Binh Long Ward, Dong Nai City, exhibited symptoms such as yellowing leaves, wilting, and reduced productivity.

The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of the Indonesian government recently issued a press release highlighting the potential to process cassava and bananas into modified flour. This initiative is designed to increase the value of local commodities while extending the shelf life of agricultural products. Ade Saepudin, an Associate Engineer at BRIN, explained that Indonesia is the world's second-largest producer of cassava, following Brazil, with production reaching 21 million tons. However, fresh cassava tubers spoil quickly and may contain cyanide if not processed promptly.