MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys have partnered with MSC Shipping, the global leader in container shipping, to implement smart container technology for ensuring the optimal freshness of produce delivered to their ships. These smart containers are equipped with internet-connected devices that continuously monitor data such as position, temperature, and humidity. This information is remotely overseen by a centralised Customer Service Centre in Antwerp Belgium.
Should any issue arise during transit, whether by road or sea, an alert is sent to the supplier, allowing for immediate resolution and preventing the need for costly replacements. This technology is particularly advantageous for perishable items like meat, seafood, and dairy products, where precise environmental conditions are critical for maintaining freshness.
While MSC and Explora Journeys source most of their food locally - ~96% - there are instances where products must be transported from global warehouses. In 2023, MSC utilized smart containers from their warehouse in Genoa Italy, leading to improved quality assurance compared to traditional transportation methods used in the previous year.
The scale of food logistics for MSC is substantial, with the fleet of 22 ships annually stocked with 5,500 different food and beverage items, including 32 million eggs, 6 million liters of milk, 170,000 oysters, 2 million tomatoes, 900,000 kg of apples, and 800,000 kg of lemons.