Extended Cold Treatment Program

POMTOC is proud to announce that it has officially received approval for its Extended Cold Treatment (CT) Certification, marking a significant milestone for the company and for South Florida’s cargo and logistics industry.

On November 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)/Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Agriculture Section) granted POMTOC authorization to operate an Extended Cold Treatment On-Site Continuation Program for the importation of eligible perishable cargo in transit from Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay.

This certification positions POMTOC as the only terminal in South Florida authorized to complete in-transit Cold Treatment onsite, allowing refrigerated containers requiring additional treatment time to be discharged at the POMTOC terminal and complete their mandatory cold treatment period prior to inspection.

A Strategic Win for the Region

The Extended Cold Treatment Program unlocks an array of benefits for POMTOC, its partners, and the broader business community, including:

• Greater operational efficiency and service reliability

• Expanded economic opportunities for both the local and state economies

• Enhanced service offerings for importers and carriers

• Increased competitive advantages for South Florida’s cargo ecosystem

• Exclusive capability to accommodate Cold Treatment continuation for shipments from Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay entering Port Miami via POMTOC exclusively

With a streamlined 300-plug reefer facility, supported by 24/7 security, electronic monitoring, and auxiliary stand-alone power generation, POMTOC is fully equipped to uphold the highest standards for Cold Treatment operations.

Cold Treatment activities officially commenced at POMTOC on November 25, 2025, beginning with shipments from ZIM Lines, the program’s primary launch partner. MSC—already experienced in Cold Treatment programs—has also expressed a strong interest.

Strategic Partnerships Driving Growth

The approval of this program reinforces POMTOC’s role as a critical logistics gateway for South American perishables, particularly fresh fruit imports from Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay.

For carriers, including ZIM Lines and MSC, the certification provides a distinct strategic advantage, offering a unique pathway to expand market share in South Florida’s growing

perishable cargo sector. For PortMiami, it represents an opportunity to attract additional refrigerated cargo volumes and reinforce its position as a premier logistics hub.

Leadership Statements

“I’m pleased to communicate that we have received our ‘Extended Cold Treatment’ certification from the various Federal and Florida Government entities involved.

POMTOC is now the only South Florida terminal with this certification, allowing refrigerated containers that require continued Cold Treatment to be discharged at our terminal and complete their required time prior to their inspections.

I would like to thank our POMTOC team that worked on this approval process, the teams from the Federal and Florida State USDA agencies, and our Miami CBP teammates, who together dedicated several months to achieve this goal.”

— Gerard van den Heuvel, CEO, POMTOC

“USDA’s collaboration and continued support remain essential to Port Miami’s growth and innovation. The approval of the In-Transit Cold Treatment Continuation Program with POMTOC represents another important milestone in strengthening the safe and efficient movement of refrigerated cargo through our port. We congratulate all teams involved for making this advancement possible.”

— Eric Olafson, Esq., Director, Global Trade & Business Development, Port Miami (Miami-Dade County)

About POMTOC

POMTOC is a leading marine terminal operator at PortMiami, providing efficient, secure, and technologically advanced cargo handling services. With a specialized reefer infrastructure and strategic partnerships across the Americas, POMTOC supports the growth of international trade and delivers value to carriers, importers, and the South Florida community.