The global logistics and supply chain specialist’s LCL service to New York, enables the successful transfer of the best of British artisan foods to the States in just 11 days, with specialist cheeses proving particularly popular with America’s retailers.

PML Seafrigo is currently running the LCL offering on a monthly basis with the last pre-Christmas consignment already having left the UK. In addition to LCL, PML Seafrigo provides a FCL (Full Container Load) route, with one of the top five multiples shipping a container of cheese every week via this route.

Commenting on the success of the London to New York line, PML Seafrigo’s Director of Ocean and Road, Ian Shuttlewood says: “We’re delighted with the uptake amongst specialist food producers who have been quick to recognise the benefits of this highly cost-effective freight solution to the US (customers only pay for the space they use in the container).”

Shuttlewood continues: “Cheese has definitely proved our most popular export during the festive period but looking ahead, we anticipate significant interest from premium chocolate producers keen to capitalise on the major windows of opportunity represented by Valentine’s Day and Easter, as retailers seek out new gifting solutions from the UK. We have the capability to create a dedicated chocolate chamber within the container to cater for the specific temperature requirements of chocolate, whilst our warehousing facilities in the UK and US offer a similar facility to ensure the seamless, efficient transfer of this highly temperature sensitive cargo, providing producers with the confidence that their fine chocolate goods will arrive at the final destination in optimum condition.”

According to research by CBI Ministry of Foreign Affairs, overall, British chocolate exports to the EU have been significantly reduced after Brexit, while exports to non-EU countries like China, the USA and Australia have increased. Marry this statement with the fact that US imports of chocolate exceed those of the next largest importer by over a billion U.S. dollars (Statista August 2023) and it clear to see the sales potential for UK chocolatiers.

Artisan producers looking to export to the US can find out more about the LCL service by contacting PML Seafrigo direct, email: i.shuttlewood@seafrigo.com

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The newly launched London to New York line is likely to appeal to a variety of producers spanning the cheese, chocolate, charcuterie and dry goods (e.g. premium biscuits) sectors, looking to exploit the US’s ongoing love of fine foods from the UK. As an LCL service (Less than Container Load) customers only pay for the space they use in the container, with the goods of several clients placed in one container resulting in a highly cost-effective freight solution.

According to the Department for Business & Trade, the US is the UK’s third-largest market for Food and Drink exports, which totalled £2.0 billion in 2021 (HMRC, December 2021), with cheese, identified as an emerging category in the US with a high growth potential.

This fact combined with the increased complexities and costs associated with exporting perishable goods to Europe in the post Brexit landscape is heralding a strong interest in shipping goods to the US. Producers of temperature sensitive foods, such as cheese and chocolate, are key targets with PML Seafrigo providing  a secure route which guarantees a seamless, timely transfer and an unbroken cold chain, that includes a dedicated Seafrigo-owned cheese warehouse facility in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

PML Seafrigo’s service which is suitable for single pallets or sample cases, includes pickup, consolidation and storage in the UK and deconsolidation, storage and delivery in the US. Throughout the entire freight transfer journey, PML Seafrigo is in full control of the cargo, from the time of collection through to arrival at the US destination, providing producers with complete peace of mind and full traceability of the consignment. 

Seafrigo’s established customs clearance expertise enables the container to be unloaded from the quay as soon as it arrives with an onward transfer to the company’s bonded warehouse in New Jersey, saving time and avoiding potential delays at the docks.

The final mile of the journey, from the warehouse to the customer destination, is completed on a Seafrigo truck or on the truck of one of Seafrigo’s trusted and approved partners. 

Commenting on the new service offered by PML Seafrigo, Ian Shuttlewood, UK GM – Ocean Product & Operations says: “This represents an exciting opportunity for specialist producers looking for a hassle-free solution to develop a new route to market in the US. We can now provide a complete end-to-end temperature-controlled transfer, using our bonded warehouses which enables customs clearance on site. PML Seafrigo’s colleagues in the US handle picking, packing and container building, with onsite screening and quality control protocols. 

Shuttlewood continues: “As per the service we operate in Europe, we will manage all the necessary freight forwarding documentation allowing the customer to concentrate on their skills as a fine food producer rather than worry about the logistics of transatlantic travel. The combined industry experience of PML and Seafrigo represents approaching 70 years in the logistics sector, so the goods are literally in the safest hands. Our renowned knowledge and understanding of the challenges associated with perishable goods is second to none and we will always identify the most appropriate – and sometimes bespoke – solution for customers to ensure a successful transfer. This includes specialist thermal foil for chocolate to ensure added protection against temperature fluctuations.”

PML Seafrigo is also well placed, subject to demand, to offer routings to other key markets such as Dubai and Hong Kong.

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