Cool Cargoes

News and analysis of refrigerated (reefer) cargo transportation, rates, capacity, technology, equipment, lessors, providers

The latest Cool Cargoes News & Analysis

Kuehne + Nagel buys US, Kenya perishable forwarders

Bruce Barnard, Special Correspondent | Jul 18, 2017, 9:59 AM EDT

The Swiss global logistics group said the acquisitions have added more than 150,000 tons to its global perishables network.
Logistics technologyCool Cargoes

CMA CGM and Seatrade target reefer trade via vessel sharing

Bruce Barnard, Special Correspondent | Jul 17, 2017, 12:41 PM EDT

The service will link Northern Europe, the US East Coast, Central America, the Pacific islands, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, and the Caribbean on a weekly basis.
Cool Cargoes

No rapid rise of US beef exports to China expected as market opens

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jul 13, 2017, 11:25 AM EDT

The first consignment of US beef to be imported by China in 14 years is just days away from arriving in the country.
Transport, trade and regulationCool Cargoes

China’s growing cold chain needs better industry standards

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Jul 13, 2017, 7:20 AM EDT

China’s cold chain is growing at a phenomenal rate.
Logistics technologyCool CargoesTransport, trade and regulation

LA port and GE evaluating information portal results

Lara L. Sowinski | Jul 9, 2017, 9:00 AM EDT

The maritime shipping sector is a perfect candidate to test an information portal.
MaritimeCool Cargoes

Proliferation of shipping data raises questions of ownership

Lara L. Sowinski | Jul 8, 2017, 9:00 AM EDT

Access to real-time data is extremely useful to carriers, BCOs, and others, but a consensus has yet to emerge on who owns the data.
ForwardingLogistics technologyCool Cargoes

Supply chain risks a threat to reefer cargoes

Lara L. Sowinski | Jul 2, 2017, 9:00 AM EDT

Food and beverage shipments are two of the main targets of cargo theft in Latin America.
Cool Cargoes

Reefer shippers fear carrier service may decline

Lara L. Sowinski | Jul 1, 2017, 10:26 AM EDT

Analysts say the introduction of larger ships could diminish service levels.
Cool CargoesContainer lines

Maersk targets Indian fruit shipments

India Special Correspondent | Jun 22, 2017, 7:04 AM EDT

Maersk Line India in a trade advisory said the one-stop freight link from cargo origins is more economical and reliable than air cargo transportation.
Container linesCool Cargoes

SSA Pacific extends LA reefer breakbulk lease

Joseph Bonney, Senior Editor | Jun 19, 2017, 2:08 PM EDT

The Port of Los Angeles is the US West Coast gateway for Chilean fruit.
North American portsBreakbulk shippingCool Cargoes

Lineage Logistics buys European cold chain specialist

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jun 15, 2017, 5:54 PM EDT

The acquisition of Partner Logistics in the Netherlands expands Lineage's reach and aids its pursuit of automated warehousing.
Logistics technologyCool Cargoes

Moving melons powers growth at Brazilian port of Pecem

Rob Ward, Brazil Special Correspondent | Jun 15, 2017, 9:34 AM EDT

Strong fruit exports, especially melons, are driving growth at the northeast Brazilian port of Pecem this year.
International portsCool Cargoes

Eimskip snaps up Danish freight forwarder

Bruce Barnard, Special Correspondent | Jun 12, 2017, 9:56 AM EDT

SHIP-LOG’s management team will retain 25 percent of the company’s shares and will manage its operations.
Container linesCool Cargoes

Brazil poultry shippers in a flap over Itajai port closure

Rob Ward, Brazil Special Correspondent | Jun 2, 2017, 6:35 PM EDT

Shippers could face losses that run into tens of millions of dollars.
International portsCool Cargoes

Hapag-Lloyd ends free gensets for US reefer shippers

Hugh R. Morley, Senior Editor | May 24, 2017, 6:26 PM EDT

Hapag-Lloyd joins group of carriers that charge for refrigerated container gensets.
Marine terminalsContainer linesCool Cargoes

Brazilian beef ban eased as stranded shipments clog Santos

Rob Ward, Special Correspondent | Mar 30, 2017, 1:27 PM EDT

Hong Kong, China, Egypt, and Chile have modified their all-out ban of Brazilian beef exports to focus only on rejecting shipments from 21 packing plants.
Cool Cargoes

PIL eyes Indian cold chain growth with joint venture

India Special Correspondent | Mar 20, 2017, 8:12 AM EDT

The two partners will coordinate their resources to provide cold chain logistics solutions.
Cool Cargoes

As market heats up, Roadrunner merges refrigerated carriers

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Mar 13, 2017, 2:40 PM EDT

Adding density by merging separate refrigerated subsidiaries gave Roadrunner market leverage.
TruckloadCool Cargoes

Cold chain interests committed to investments

Lara L. Sowinski | Mar 5, 2017, 8:00 AM EST

Ports, carriers, and cold storage providers are committed to ongoing investments, including infrastructure, equipment, technology, and personnel.
Cool Cargoes

Traditional reefer carriers tout specialty services

Lara L. Sowinski | Mar 4, 2017, 1:36 PM EST

Container carriers have made steady gains in the global reefer market, but conventional reefer carriers find success through specialty services.
Cool Cargoes

Maersk: Data digitalization has ‘humongous’ potential

Joseph Bonney, Senior Editor | Feb 28, 2017, 12:16 PM EST

A trial shipment completed last week between North Europe and the East Coast of North America is a sign of digitalization’s potential.
Container linesCool Cargoes

Lack of transparency hampers containerized cold chain

Lara L. Sowinski | Feb 25, 2017, 9:00 AM EST

The largest pain point yet to resolve in refrigerated shipping is the lack of data and transparency in managing the end-to-end cold chain, the former head of Maersk Line's reefer business says.
Cool CargoesContainer lines

Florida sea-air perishable transshipment begins

JOC Staff | Feb 3, 2017, 3:34 PM EST

Central American producers to expand their markets by extending the shelf lives of perishable shipments.
Container linesCool Cargoes

Philly aims to lure discretionary cargo from NE rivals

Hugh R. Morley, Senior Editor | Jan 31, 2017, 12:07 PM EST

The Port of Philadelphia is taking aim at discretionary cargo moving through northeastern competitors.
North American portsCool Cargoes

Eimskip acquisition spree continues

Dustin Braden, Shipper Relationship Manager | Jan 24, 2017, 8:59 AM EST

Eimskip’s acquisition spree continued this week with the purchase of a Belgian refrigerated freight forwarder.
Container linesCool Cargoes

UP asset acquisitions strengthen reefer capabilities

Dustin Braden, Shipper Relationship Manager | Jan 4, 2017, 12:39 PM EST

Union Pacific Railroad will gain control of assets throughout the United States as a result of its deal with Railex.
North-American railCool Cargoes

UPS acquisition strengthens pharmaceutical logistics

JOC Staff | Nov 8, 2016, 4:41 PM EST

UPS’s acquisition of Marken, a third-party logistics provider specializing in health care, will bolster UPS’s pharmaceutical logistics services.
Logistics technologyCool Cargoes

Container competition hits Star Reefers

Bruce Barnard, Special Correspondent | Oct 26, 2016, 11:55 AM EDT

Star Reefers sank into the red in the third quarter as the Norwegian refrigerated shipping line faced intense pressure from container lines.
Cool CargoesContainer lines

Seatrade reefer box order underscores demand strength

Bruce Barnard, Special Correspondent | Oct 20, 2016, 9:54 AM EDT

Seatrade's order underscores the strength of the reefer market.
Container linesCool Cargoes

Eimskip acquisition spree continues with reefer forwarder

JOC Staff | Oct 19, 2016, 4:21 PM EDT

Eimskip’s acquisition spree continues with the purchase of a Netherlands-based forwarder.
Container linesCool Cargoes

Flower shippers latest to test maritime cold chain

Reynolds Hutchins, Associate Editor | Oct 15, 2016, 6:00 AM EDT

The world’s largest trading center for plants and flowers is experimenting with refrigerated ocean containers.
Cool CargoesContainer linesAir Cargo

Shippers, carriers share the risk in keeping foods safe

Lara L. Sowinski | Oct 2, 2016, 9:00 AM EDT

Transporting food, pharmaceuticals, and other temperature-controlled products requires compliance with increasingly stringent regulations to assure consumer safety. At the same time, superior cold chain practices are also important for maintaining the quality of products and maximizing shelf life.
Cool CargoesTransport, trade and regulation

Thermal blankets offer reefer goods security, longer rail transits

Lara L. Sowinski | Oct 1, 2016, 9:00 AM EDT

Thermal blankets not only add a very important layer of security during multiple hand-offs along the cold chain, but also expand transportation options, including the increased use of rail.
Cool Cargoes

Growing perishables trade driving huge reefer box orders

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Sep 28, 2016, 5:11 AM EDT

The refrigerated trade is a lone bright spot in a global liner shipping industry that is struggling to find profitability.
Cool CargoesContainer linesMarine terminals

SeaLand adds Hueneme to west coast Central America service

Bill Mongelluzzo, Senior Editor | Sep 26, 2016, 9:20 AM EDT

SeaLand announced Monday it has added the Port of Hueneme, California, to its weekly west coast Central America service.
Container linesCool Cargoes

US agriculture exports remain promising despite some barriers

Lara Sowinski | Sep 25, 2016, 9:00 AM EDT

What happens at the farm level is monitored carefully for the potential impact that will manifest further down the supply chain.
Cool Cargoes

Industry experts pinpoint threats to reefer shippers, carriers

Lara Sowinski | Sep 24, 2016, 9:00 AM EDT

Although advancements in equipment, refrigeration systems, and software and technology help to mitigate risks, a dynamic global cold chain in perpetual flux means there are always new challenges to confront.
Cool Cargoes

Drewry: Reefer demand to remain container line bright spot

Joseph Bonney, Senior Editor | Sep 16, 2016, 4:08 PM EDT

Refrigerated containers will remain one of the few relatively bright spots for struggling ocean carriers.
Container linesCool Cargoes

Singapore tops list of market prospects for US reefer exports

Lara L. Sowinski | Aug 13, 2016, 9:00 AM EDT

Singapore holds the strongest potential for U.S. refrigerated exports in a global market ripe for growth, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration’s recently released “2016 Cold Chain Top Markets Report.”
Cool Cargoes

Finalized US sanitary rule requires more scrutiny from food shippers

Lara L. Sowinski | Jul 10, 2016, 9:00 AM EDT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has refocused a rule on transportation practices that could pose a threat to food safety, bringing the focus back to risk.
Cool Cargoes