Five years since it started in 2018 up to 2023, this business unit has seen an increase of +65%. It recorded particularly significant growth between 2022 and 2023, with +31%: these results have seen it position and establish itself among the leading players on the European cruise ship market.
The number of cruise passengers is constantly growing in Europe, and 90% of guests say they would like to go on another cruise. Forecasts for 2024 are encouraging. It is estimated that the number of passengers could exceed the figure recorded in 2019, with outstanding performances, in particular, for Italy. (Source: CLIA – Cruise Lines International Association).
In line with Conor’s mission, its dedicated maritime business unit selects and distributes fresh fruit and vegetables, while always managing and overseeing the entire supply chain: from sowing to product customisation, right up to port-side delivery. Alongside cold chain maintenance, the hallmark services of its offer include on-board assistance, constant shipment tracking and dedicated customer care, available 24/7.
Logistics network for naval distribution: 30 ports served, more than 400 agribusiness references
The business unit currently serves 30 ports, spread around Italy and Europe, for a highly specialised and tailor-made service, customised for all types of ships used for the maritime cruise market, as well as the maritime industry in general: from luxury charter yachts to large ships with over 6,000 passengers, as well as merchant ships, ferries and offshore mining platforms. At the heart of its offer lies a wide range of over 400 products – available all year round – with conventional and organic fruit and vegetables, fresh or cooked packaged and ready-to-eat fruit and veg, as well as microgreens, leaves, seaweed and edible flowers. Over the years, this dedicated import business unit has helped expand the offer, guaranteeing a high level of specialisation in exotic and very exotic products, ensuring a unique and customised experience on board.
“As a dedicated maritime business unit, we started in 2018 and were almost immediately hit by a crisis due to the years of the pandemic. The scenario is now completely different and growing exponentially. To get an idea of the current performance of the sector, just think that orders for new cruise ships are now seeing delivery delayed until 2027. We are passionate about this sector and are very happy with it; we are growing non-stop and incredibly motivated when looking to the future, with a view to further improving efficiency and development. Our presence in Genoa is also proof of this. We oversee and analyse all the requirements of maritime catering by constantly listening to and examining various customer needs, both in terms of products and the services offered. Having real product knowledge is definitely one of our hallmark values and I would say one of the keys to our success, thanks to our affiliation with the Agribologna Group”, explained Dario Guidi, Conor’s Sales Director.
To guarantee food safety and fresh, high-quality products anywhere in Italy, Conor had the pioneering idea of creating a logistics network formed of 21 major platforms all across the country, strategically located near to the main Italian ports and airports.
Thanks to this logistics network, which also stretches across Europe, it can guarantee a geolocalised door-to-door, refrigerated delivery service, which maintains the cold chain and product quality, right up until the goods are loaded on board, with a special focus on the use of increasingly sustainable materials and constant safety checks.
“Our challenge in the maritime catering sector is to start from the products’ source, identifying the best production areas, in line with the latest agricultural technologies, right up to selecting the most appropriate raw materials for every type of customer and their requests. We meet these requests which can vary dramatically, depending on the country markets, the class and the size of the ships, to mention just a few of the variables that come into play. This is one of the reasons why we have daily contact with producers and our customers. It is a highly challenging and complex market, which we tackle with enthusiasm and passion. We are looking to the future, strengthened by our specialisations, expertise and desire to innovate”, explained Andrea Agostinetto, the Conor Cruise Unit Sales Manager.