Japanese reefer operator Fresh Carriers Co has placed a rare order for specialised vessels, inking a deal for three medium-sized reefer vessels with Japan’s Kitanihon Shipbuilding Co.
Delivery of the first two vessels is scheduled for the second half of 2020, while the last ship is aimed for handover in the first quarter of 2021.
Orders of specialised reefers have been few and far between in recent years as increasing volumes of refrigerated cargoes are transported onboard containerships.
But Fresh Carriers is understood to need the ships to operate fast and direct services in the fruit trades from New Zealand and North Asia.
The vessels will have a capacity of approximately 570,000 cbf, or 6,800 high-cube pallets.
That comprises 4,800 pallets under the deck and 100 additional 40-foot reefer containers on deck.
The ships will be self-sustained and so avoid the need to enter container terminals as well as being able to access smaller ports.
Fresh Carriers president T Takeshige believes specialised refrigerated vessels will have a significant place in the global fruit trade in providing direct and dedicated shipping services.
“The demand for refrigerated fruit and protein cargoes in bulk continues to grow strongly in various trade segments around the globe, and most specifically in the Asian markets,” he said.
Fresh Carriers begun its specialised reefer activity under the name of Nissui Shipping.
It works closely with fruit exporter Zespri Shipping, which relies heavily on the charter market to ship fruit from New Zealand to China, Japan and Korea.
