MCI bullish on reefer prospects

Remote reefer monitoring is slowly but surely coming to the container shipping sector, but the technology is in its relative infancy, and it can take time to implement.

Dry freight container manufacturers have faced a difficult 2017, with the challenge of switching to waterborne paints coinciding with a sharp upswing in demand.

The current outlook for reefer manufacturing is increasingly upbeat, after more than a year of uncertainty and weak demand.

After testing the management of fresh mangoes in Star Cool reefer containers with Maersk Container Industry’s (MCI) Controlled Atmosphere (CA) system last year, Africa Express Line (AEL) has taken delivery of 500 new reefers equipped with the system.

Hapag-Lloyd has announced an order for 7,000 x 40ft and 700 x 20ft new reefer containers. “1,000 of the new containers are equipped with the company’s controlled atmosphere (CA) technology, which slows down the ripening process of various types of fruits and vegetables, allowing them to be transported for longer periods of time, while maintaining a consistent quality,” the company stated.

Maersk Group reported a much improved performance from Maersk Container Industry (MCI) in the second quarter of 2017.