They're shipped in oxygen free containers to prevent ripening and bruises while in transit, and then are over oxygenated to quickly ripen once unloaded to dockside facilities.
Before that, shipping distances were limited and the majority of what was unloaded had to be trashed before making it to market.
Only one interesting aspect of an extremely interesting historical topic.
Highly recommend starting with the story of Samuel Zemurray for those interested in the topic, who sold his company to united fruit then promptly turned around and took charge of it for the next twenty years in a hostile takeover.
Before that, shipping distances were limited and the majority of what was unloaded had to be trashed before making it to market.
Only one interesting aspect of an extremely interesting historical topic.
Highly recommend starting with the story of Samuel Zemurray for those interested in the topic, who sold his company to united fruit then promptly turned around and took charge of it for the next twenty years in a hostile takeover.