Ocean Network Express (ONE) is expanding its current refrigerated container (reefer) fleet of 240,000 TEUs by adding another 6,000 (40” HC) units, including 500 units equipped with advanced Controlled Atmosphere (CA) technology which slows down the respiration and ripening process to maximise the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. These reefer containers will be made available for accepting new bookings towards the end of the year to meet reefer peak season global demand around the world.
ONE has one of the largest, state-of-the-art reefer fleets in the world, equipped with the most advanced technologies designed to handle perishable cargo demand. With this new investment of 6,000 reefer units, coming on the heels of last year’s industry leading procurement of 14,000 units, ONE demonstrates its strong commitment to meet growing demand for containerised reefer trade, which remains strongly augmented by expansion of the middle class in Asia constantly demanding healthy food choices. In 2019 so far, the growth in global refrigerated container trade has outperformed the growth in global container trade and ONE expects the growth momentum to be maintained in the remaining months of the year, said a release.
ONE is currently working towards the application of latest IoT technology into its fleet of reefer containers, which allows real-time visibility of critical information such as temperature, humidity inside the container, thereby enhancing value chain proposition of perishable trade.
Its Global Reefer Business Planning team (GRBP), based at ONE’s HQ in Singapore, develops its global reefer marketing and business strategy through close monitoring of market demand and closely collaborating with the regional reefer steering desks located in different parts of the world.
ONE’s reefer technical team is available on board and on shore to provide round-the-clock assistance when required, the release added.
