Can shipping lines stay cool and go green?
In this FRUIT LOGISTICA Podcast, Hapag-Lloyd’s Clemens Holz shares insights on schedule reliability, sustainability, and why Chilean cherries put reefer logistics to the ultimate test.
Global trade is changing fast – and shipping lines need to keep up. In this episode of the FRUIT LOGISTICA Podcast, recorded live at the 2025 event in Berlin, host Mike Knowles talks to Clemens Holz, Director of Global Reefer Management at Hapag-Lloyd, about how one of the world’s leading shipping lines is keeping reefer transport reliable and becoming greener under pressure.
Staying on time – and on course
With ongoing disruptions to global shipping lanes, including rerouted vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, Clemens outlines how Hapag Lloyd is adapting its fleet and operations to keep fresh produce moving reliably. Schedule reliability, he says, remains the industry’s biggest challenge – with punctuality levels hovering between 50% and 60%.
Geopolitics, green goals, and global trade
From shifting trade routes due to tariffs to the increasing demand for sustainability, Clemens discusses the balancing act between cost, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. He explains how technology – like remote container monitoring – is transforming supply chains and giving customers more transparency than ever before.
The cherry on top? It’s from Chile
Clemens also shares why the Chilean cherry export season to China is one of the most exciting – and demanding – logistics operations in fresh produce. This season, with new cold-treatment rules in place, reefer shipping faced a new level of complexity that required fast innovation and absolute precision.
Reefer shipping at a crossroads
As the episode closes, the conversation turns to the road ahead. For Clemens, success lies in continued investment, close customer partnerships, and a willingness to adapt – fast.
Where to next?
You’ll have to tune in to find out.
This podcast episode was created in co-operation with Fruitnet Media International. Comments, questions and suggestions are welcome on our social media channels.