Global shipping under pressure: tariffs, costs and sustainability

Interview with Cristián Montenegro, Managing Director, MSC Chile

As the blueberry industry becomes increasingly global and dependent on long-distance supply chains, logistics has emerged as one of the most critical factors shaping market access, competitiveness, and the stability of fresh exports. Volatile freight conditions, shifting trade flows, labour constraints, and sustainability demands continue to challenge exporters worldwide.

To better understand the current logistics landscape, the IBO spoke with Cristián Montenegro, Managing Director of MSC Chile. Below, he shares his views on global volatility, operational resilience, sustainability, and the challenges ahead for port infrastructure.

1. In a context of high volatility in international markets, what do you see as the main logistics challenges currently facing the fresh fruit export industry, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere?

Today’s world is highly interconnected and volatile, making foreign trade logistics planning more of an art than a science. The imposition of a tariff can dramatically alter cargo flows, just as a strike at a port or in the hinterland can disrupt operations. In such a globalized environment, a missing link in the supply chain — no matter how distant — can have worldwide repercussions.

2. Tariff policies and market access conditions in North America have introduced new challenges. How is the industry preparing to face this scenario, and what impact do these measures have on planning, costs, and trade stability?

The most effective strategy for the logistics industry is to build systems that are highly flexible and resilient to external changes. This goes beyond having a versatile fleet of vessels; it requires robust support across all logistics components — trucks, depots for empty containers, warehouses, cold storage facilities, ports, and customer service teams.

These elements have increasingly become bottlenecks, prompting major operators to strive for self-sufficiency to ensure the continuity and adaptability of shipping and unloading processes.

MSC is committed to this approach, investing in companies such as MEDLOG, MEDLOG Coldstore, TIL, MEDTUG, and others — all aimed at providing stability in an unpredictable world.

3. How can exporters and shipping lines work together to improve efficiency and remain competitive?

By collaborating closely with exporters and offering greater visibility and certainty, container shipping can complement the export of fresh commodities with dry cargo and imports, enabling cost savings through economies of scale. Additionally, being close to our clients and fostering mutual understanding will allow us to find the optimal point for both parties, that is, through constant bidirectional communication, flexibility and proximity.  While this remains a complex challenge, especially given today’s heightened uncertainty, being close to customers is our priority.

4. How can the industry move toward greater predictability and efficiency in logistics flows for perishables?

It is essential for all stakeholders to recognize that planning can no longer be done in isolation. It is not enough to focus solely on the Chilean or Peruvian markets; a broader analysis is needed — at least across Latin America — and in coordination with other commodities shipped during the same periods, since resources are shared and finite.

5. How do you see the balance between sustainability, efficiency, and competitiveness?

At MSC, we are deeply committed to sustainability. We have made significant efforts to reduce emissions, including retrofitting part of our fleet to use biofuels, improving energy efficiency onboard, and incorporating advanced propeller technologies.

We have also introduced digital solutions such as iReefer, myMSC, MSCGo, and eBL, which streamline cargo management and significantly reduce paper usage — while maintaining the human touch that sets MSC apart.

Operational efficiency is the key to balancing sustainability, performance, and competitiveness. Reducing emissions and optimizing processes are not conflicting goals — they complement each other.

6. Looking ahead, what trends or challenges do you anticipate for fresh fruit logistics?

Port operations and upcoming concession processes will likely be among the most critical issues. We are already facing constraints due to labor laws that have not fully adapted to port realities. These challenges are compounded by slow investment in port infrastructure and backup areas, further complicated by bureaucratic permitting processes.

As a result, these investments often lag behind potential capacity increases in other areas — such as vessels, depots, trucks, or cold storage — and the growing volumes driven by the export sector.

As global logistics becomes increasingly complex, the fresh fruit industry faces a scenario in which efficiency, resilience, and sustainability are no longer optional — they are essential pillars for maintaining competitiveness. The perspective shared by MSC Chile underscores the need for coordinated planning, technological evolution, and long-term infrastructure development to ensure supply chain stability. For blueberry exporters and the broader produce industry, understanding these logistics dynamics will be key to navigating an increasingly demanding global environment.

11-26-2025

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