With the shipment of more than 1.9 million reefer containers in 2020, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) surpassed its previous 2019 mark of 1.8 million units transported.
The shipping line said in a statement that, “2020 was another successful year for MSC’s reefer services as we battled the Covid pandemic to continue delivering essential food and medicine. As a world leader in refrigerated transport solutions, we operate one of the largest and most advanced reefer container fleets in the world: in 2020, MSC shipped a record 1.9 million reefer containers.”
The rise is linked by an increase in global demand for fresh fruit that has grown by as much as 40% over the last decade.
“This was further intensified in 2020 by an increased demand for immunity-boosting vitamin C-rich foods, such as fresh fruit, as part of a growing trend in personal health and nutrition, amid the Covid-19 pandemic,” said MSC.
“In order to meet increased demand for our refrigerated cargo service in new and existing destinations around the world, we have been expanding our refrigerated fleet for temperature-sensitive cargo, inrticular adding 15,000 Star Cool units in 2020.” The Geneva-headquartered shipping company commissioned the new Gülsün class container ships, which are among the largest in the world, which feature more than 2,000 reefers slots, between Europe and Asia.
“Reefer containers and temperature-controlled solutions have gained popularity over the course of 2020. The growing demand has also opened up new market possibilities, which we have been able to support thanks to our continued investment in the best technologies for refrigerated transport solutions,” explained Giuseppe Prudente, MSC’s global logistics director.
In 2020, MSC made the first shipment of Chilean clementines to Hong Kong, connecting Asia and Latin America through INCA Service. Shortly after, MSC delivered the first shipment of avocados from Colombia to China, a journey made possible by its advanced refrigerated technology.