Hapag-Lloyd orders 11,100 reefer containers

Hapag-Lloyd has ordered 11,100 reefer containers to be integrated to its existing fleet of 91,000 units with deliveries beginning in August and scheduled to be completed by December 2018.

The production of the new reefers has already begun, with the first series of 40 ft containers.

As many as 2,000 of the new containers will be equipped with Controlled Atmosphere – a technology used to slow down the ripening process and to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

Thanks to optimised power control, the units are meant to consume significantly less energy, without any change in performance and temperature precision.

Clemens Holz, director of reefer products at Hapag-Lloyd, said: “We see increasing demand from clients to transport temperature sensitive goods.

“To benefit from additional opportunities in this attractive market segment, we have decided to increase our reefer fleet.”

Since 2015 and including the latest order, the carrier has purchased a total of 30,550 new reefers, hoping to offer modern equipment and ensure sufficient seasonal availability to its customers, particularly during peak times such as harvesting seasons of fruits or vegetables.

In addition to food products, the German shipping line also transports other sensitive products in reefer containers, such as high-value pharmaceuticals.