Maersk Line CEO to address future of global refrigerated trade at Cool Logistics conference

2012-09-11

Søren Skou, CEO of container shipping giant Maersk Line, has been announced as keynote speaker at the 4th Cool Logistics Global conference, taking place 24-26 September in Antwerp, Belgium.

In his speech on the afternoon of 25 September, the head of the world’s largest container carrier, and biggest provider of refrigerated container services, will outline Maersk’s position on the critical actions now needed to sustain the future of global refrigerated transport.

Over the past decade and more, expansion of refrigerated container ocean services has underpinned growing world trade in an ever-widening range of perishable commodities, from super deep-frozen tuna to exotic fresh fruit. The refrigerated container is now by far the dominant transport mode for the complex movement of chilled and frozen cargoes across the globe.

Volumes of global refrigerated container shipments are tipped to rise still further over the next few years on the back of world population growth, new demand from China, India, Russia, Middle East, Africa and other developing economies, and on-going conversion of reefer cargoes from other transport modes, including air.

However, the reefer trades have not been immune from the general volatility in world container shipping. This year has seen a number of prominent carriers, Maersk included, warning of the dangers of rate erosion and spiralling costs to reposition reefer containers to demand locations, among other concerns.

With little sign of significant new investment in conventional reefer tonnage, refrigerated container shipping is clearly now the linchpin for world perishables trade. Mr. Skou will offer Maersk Line’s thoughts on how to address today‘s challenges to ensure a stable refrigerated ocean transport pipeline for global perishable shippers and retailers.

“At this critical time for global refrigerated transport, we are delighted to welcome Søren Skou to share views with the international community of senior perishable cargo owners and logistics professionals gathering at Cool Logistics Global,” said Rachael White, Director, Cool Logistics Resources. “For shippers, carriers and other key stakeholders in perishable logistics, today’s issues clearly will not be solved with a silo mentality. Cool Logistics Global offers a timely chance for all the parties to come together and discuss how to jointly tackle rising cost, capacity, quality and regulatory pressures against the backdrop of growing world trade in food, flowers, pharmaceuticals and other perishable goods.”

Hosted once again by the Port of Antwerp, the 2012 event incorporates a one-day Operations & Technology forum and two-day Business conference, plus two industry networking receptions.

Source: Maersk Line

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