Newbuilds breathe life into conventional reefer shipping
Continued demand for conventional reefer shipping’s so-called ‘fast, direct and dedicated’ service model has prompted an unprecedented flurry of newbuilds in the sector. However, the traditional carriers of cool cargo will continue to lose market share to their container counterparts as the cost of complying with the sulphur cap proves a bridge too far for some
The conventional reefer fleet could fall to as low as 300 units by 2030, but reefers’ strength on niche trades suggests the sector still has a future despite dwindling numbers