HAPAG-LLOYD has ordered a total of 7,700 refrigerated containers, including 7,000 FEU and 700 TEU units. Production of the containers commences immediately.

Within the total number of containers ordered, 1,000 of them will be equipped with "controlled atmosphere" technology, which slows down the ripening process of fruits and vegetables, allowing them to be transported for longer periods of time while maintaining a consistent quality.

For the first time, 1,000 of the new 40-foot containers will be manufactured in a plant in San Antonio, Chile, a region in which they are in high demand. As a result, it will be possible to reduce the necessary shifting of empty containers from alternative production sites, which saves both time and money in terms of empty transports.

"After the merger with UASC this past May, Hapag-Lloyd has once again significantly grown in the reefer market," said chief operating officer at Hapag-Lloyd, Anthony Firmin. "With these new orders, we are further expanding this position and investing in an efficient and modern fleet as well as in the expansion of our most recent product, 'ExtraFresh Plus'."

source：http://www.shippingazette.com/menu.asp?encode=eng