A.P. Moller Maersk has announced plans to sign new building orders and time-charter contracts for dual-fuel vessels, aiming to match its planned renewal pace of around 160,000 TEUs annually. As disclosed, these orders continue Maersk's fleet renewal program initiated in 2021. The orders will include 50-60 containerships, combining owned and chartered dual-fuel vessels, equaling 800,000 TEU. Approximately 300,000 TEU will be owned capacity, while the remaining 500,000 TEU will be through time-charter agreements.

The world's top two container lines are preparing to go separate ways next year. Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) now boasts a fleet exceeding 6 million TEU, commanding a 20% share of the globally operated container fleet. In contrast, Maersk, which held the title of the largest liner in the world until early 2022, is witnessing a significant erosion in its market share as it adheres to a fleet size cap policy introduced under former CEO Soren Skou.

For the third day in a row, the Empresa Portuaria Nacional Santo Tomás de Castilla (Empornac) has faced a blockade that has halted critical operations. A group from Izabal, vocalizing their concerns over the alleged privatization of port services, has steadfastly maintained its position at the port's entrance since Tuesday, August 6.

Aiming to strengthen female participation in the agricultural sector, over 50 women from the provinces of Guayas, El Oro, Santa Elena, Los Ríos, and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas gathered for the dissemination of the Public Agricultural Policy for Rural Women (PAMUR). This event, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) through the Undersecretariat of Peasant Family Agriculture, was attended by women who contributed to the creation of the National Agricultural Strategy for Rural Women (ENAMIR) in the past.

The Association of Banana Producers of the Canary Islands (Asprocan) has rejected the non-legislative proposal approved by the Canary Islands Parliament, which sets a maximum of 65,000 kilos per hectare for aid to banana production. Asprocan considers this measure a "big mistake". In a statement, Asprocan points out that the Parliament's Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Committee, together with the councillor for the area, Narvay Quintero, approved this initiative with two amendments that divide the sector and violate the requests of the Banana Producers' Organisations of the Canary Islands.

The Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT), operated by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), recently received the inaugural call of SITC's new China-Philippines Express 7 (CXP7) service. This service addresses the growing export volume of fresh produce, including pineapples and bananas from Bukidnon. The CXP7 service covers the ports of Shanghai, Wenzhou, Manila (South), Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro (MCT). MCT receives calls from this service every Monday.

Global shipbuilding capacity is set to grow by a per cent with the reactivation of one of the most famous shipyards from the previous boom and bust era of shipping. MB Shipbroking, formerly Maersk Broker, reports that Jiangsu Rongsheng Heavy Industries, once China's most prominent private shipyard, will reopen with the world's most extensive container line as one of its first clients.

As part of the Transit Booking System, the Panama Canal introduced a Long-Term Slot Allocation (LoTSA) Method for Neopanamax vessels. With this new measure, Panama Canal aims to increase transit certainty and flexibility for its clients. Currently, the Transit Booking System slot offering is done daily with an anticipation period before the required transit date.

As of Friday, banana selling prices in St. Petersburg have settled between USD 10.80 and 11.40 per box CIF. Earlier in the week, prices averaged around USD 13.70 per box, with peak rates reaching USD 15.20 to 16.47 per box. These fluctuations are attributed to brand recognition, volume, quality, and packaging variations. Local market insights reveal a subdued demand for bananas, overshadowed by the abundance of local summer fruits currently in season and readily available in the market. Around 1.290 million boxes were discharged in week 32, and around 973.000 boxes are expected for week 33. The current exchange rate stands at 1 USD = 84.95 RUB. In the Mediterranean, banana selling prices have been observed to range from USD 17.0 to 20.0 per box CIF, influenced by factors such as brand reputation, quality, volume, and regional demand. Ecuadorean bananas have seen peak prices reaching up to USD 22.0 per box, reflecting their high demand and perceived quality.

The global centennial fruit and vegetable brand Dole originated in 1851 and has become one of the leading brands in the fruit industry with its quality control and brand history. Dole is a leader in the banana industry and has been operating bananas since 1899, and this year marks the 125th anniversary of Dole's bananas.

After launching the Dole Sweetio Pineapple Sorbet and Red Fuji Apple Sorbet with McDonald's in 2021 and 2022, Dole has joined hands with McDonald's again this year to launch the Dole Sweetio Banana McFlurry, leading the banana craze this summer in China.

Bobby Banana, the 7-foot healthy-eating mascot of the Dole Food Company, is the star of a ripe new exhibit at the National Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting, Ind. The display is part of Dole's 125th Banana Versary, celebrating the produce leader's 125th year in the banana business, and continues through September 2024.

Banana prices in St. Petersburg experienced significant fluctuations due to weak demand. Sales were hindered by high temperatures in most regions of the Russian Federation and by large volumes of local summer fruit available at competitive prices. Most of the week, prices hovered around USD 15.0 per box CIF as average, ranging from USD 12.70 to USD 17.35 per box. However, at the lower end, prices briefly dipped to USD 11.50 per box CIF by Friday. These variations depend on factors such as brand, quantity, and packaging.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Fusarium Wilt Tropical Race 4 disease spread across local plantations and logistics challenges limited the Philippines' banana shipments last year. Monthly export data indicate that these difficulties mainly hampered shipments from the Philippines during the first nine months, notably to Japan and China, the two critical destinations for bananas from the Philippines.

Traditionally, banana prices in China tend to decline from June onward, especially after the Dragon Boat Festival, due to the influx of other seasonal fruits. However, this year, banana farm gate prices increased in June across major producing regions except for Hainan.