The Port of Antwerp recorded an increase of 2.6% year-on-year during 2021 in the total number of reefer containers, surpassing the 1 million TEU mark for the second year in a row.
The growth was mainly driven by a 6% increase in export volumes during the previous year, while the share of reefer container volumes represents 8.2% of the total container traffic in the Belgian port.
Before the coronavirus crisis, there was a huge drop in the use of conventional reefer vessels, as the majority of perishables were transported in reefer containers, according to a statement. As of 2020, however, it was again profitable to deploy reefer vessels in liner shipping due to the high rates in container liner shipping.
“The current fleet of conventional reefer ships was competed out of the market before the health crisis because of their high bunker costs. However, this type of vessel fits perfectly within the current system of refrigerated storage and cross-docking,” commented Perishables Expertise Group, which includes professionals from Remant Cool Logistics, DP World, Foodcareplus, Hapag-Lloyd, Seafrigo, Luik Natie, PSA Cargo Solutions, IDP, Eurofruitports, MSC and Sea invest.
“Since these vessels can be loaded and unloaded quickly and the infrastructure lends itself to it, a new and environmentally friendly generation of conventional reefer vessels could once again play a significant role in the future,” added the group.
