ZIM Integrated Shipping Services has announced an order of 500 Star Cool Integrated Reefers from Maersk Container Industry (MCI). This is a breakthrough for MCI as around 90% of ZIM’s current fleet of reefers use Carrier machinery, it is understood. The new MCI reefer containers will be supplied with R134A refrigerant, and are prepared for drop in conversion to R513A at any point, without requiring a software upgrade.

The new Star Cool reefers will be fitted with ZIM’s “”ZIMonitor” remote monitoring system, which now forms an important part of the carrier’s reefer offering. “ZIM has been offering advanced transport of fruit, meat, medicines, and other frozen or refrigerated cargo to its customers for decades. ZIM has developed unique technologies to ensure that reefer container transportation is as secure, reliable, and efficient as possible. ZIM’s cutting-edge ZIMonitor system combines the latest technology with a comprehensive 24/7 response team,” ZIM said.

ZIMonitor uses technology developed by another Israeli company, ArrowSpot, and Dan Bartal, Container Fleet Manager at ZIM Integrated Shipping said the service is popular. “We are expanding our fleet of ZIMonitor containers to accommodate our customers’ growing demand for our exclusive ZIMonitor service, and we are sure MCI’s highly advanced and energy-efficient Star Cool Integrated reefers will be a great addition to our equipment fleet,” he said.

ZIM joins a list of more than 40 container lines, leasing companies and multinational fruit companies around the globe that collectively operate around 300,000 Star Coool reefers today. “Our Star Cool technology offers operators like ZIM the lowest total cost of ownership by combining reliability with lower operating costs, such as the most energy efficient reefer in the industry,” said Anders Holm, Global Head of Sales and Marketing at MCI. “We are pleased to see our product offering matching ZIM’s environmental ambitions so well.”

Production of the Star Cool Integrated Reefers ordered by ZIM will commence in May 2019.