Hapag-Lloyd Makes Huge Maersk Reefer Container Order

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Hapag-Lloyd is expanding its container fleet through an order of 3,700 Star Cool Integrated containers from Maersk Container Industry (MCI).

As the fifth-largest container shipping company by fleet capacity, Hapag-Lloyd has made the purchase to be more sustainable and is the first carrier to widely deploy the environmentally friendly low Global Warming Potential (GWP) R513A refrigerant blend recently introduced by MCI.

The purchase includes an order for 1,000 Star Cool units that are chilled by the R513A refrigerant system with a GWP of less than 56% of the R134A refrigerant.

The R513A charged Star Cool unit is addressing the environmental protection legislation for existing technology platforms introduced with, for example, the F-gas regulations in the EU.

MCI’s manufacturing facilities in China and Chile will deliver and are currently producing the 3,700 40-foot containers.

Niklas Ohling, Senior Director at Hapag-Lloyd (pictured above), said: “We are pleased to introduce another low-GWP refrigerant solution in our fleet with the first 1,000 Star Cool Integrated containers.

“Reducing carbon emissions is a key objective on our sustainability agenda and we believe in the potential of environmentally friendly refrigerants as an important element in achieving this.

“At the same time, we have ensured in earlier field trials with MCI that the cargo quality and energy efficiency remains unaffected by the new refrigerant.”

Learn how temperature control is a component of containerization that has continued to rise in importance with international trade by reading the 'Keeping Cool: Challenges for Containerised Reefer Trade' technical paper

Søren Leth Johannsen, Chief Commercial Officer at MCI, commented: “We share the ambition of Hapag-Lloyd to reduce its environmental impact and are happy they again have selected the Star Cool Integrated solution.

“It has been our imperative to offer a refrigerant solution that is not only better for the environment, but can also be deployed here and now, in the future, and in existing Star Cool fleets. This protects our customers’ investment and allows for a gradual change to the new technology and to legislation.”

To meet the increased demand for reefer transport, Hapag-Lloyd selected Controlled Atmosphere (CA) technology for 1,000 Star Cool Integrated containers to expand its ExtraFresh and ExtraFresh Plus services.

The CA technology slows the ripening of fruits and vegetables so that they can be transported over longer periods and reach their destination without over-ripening or decaying.

Ohling added: “Working together with MCI, we have been able to refine CA technology to offer our ExtraFresh Plus service.

“This service enables even extremely sensitive fruit such as blueberries and lychees to be transported to the desired level of quality and degree of ripeness.

“With these new container orders with MCI, we are broadening our position and investing in expanding our ExtraFresh Plus offering to meet the needs of our customers worldwide.”

Johannsen added: “Hapag-Lloyd has been instrumental in spearheading CA services into new commodities such as blueberry and lychee loads.

“Thanks to our close and agile partnership that spans over a decade, we have been able to test CA technology on new commodities together with interested exporters and growers in Africa and South America.”

Read more: MCI recently fulfilled an order from Africa Express Line (AEL), an operator of nine specialist reefer vessels, to expand its refrigerated container fleet by 500

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