misinformation

REEFER INDUSTRYnally in 1995 and is still being workedrelatively hard, even if production is downon earlier years. Its output amounted toroughly 15,000 TEU in 2014, which washalf of that achieved prior to 2013, andwas down further to 6,000 TEU for theopening half of 2015.The newer Qidong factory was to buildmore than 30,000 TEU during 2014, andhad supplied 17,000 TEU during the firsthalf of 2015. It too offers the potentialfor further expansion in coming years.MCI stepping upMCI’s established Qingdao factory haslong provided around 85,000 TEU ofannual reefer building capacity based ona double-shift operation, and also maintainedan approximate single shift during2014. This has since been stepped up furtherinto 2015 as demand has improved.MCI-Qingdao delivered a total of 45,000TEU throughout 2014, followed byover 30,000 TEU during the openinghalf of 2015. The latter total comprisedover 15,000 units, as virtually all of thefactory’s output so far this year has been40ft high cube. MCI earlier reported thatorders for more than 16,000 reefer unitshad been placed through January to May,with at least 11,000 due to be fitted withMCI’s own make of Star Cool machinery.The current dominance of 40ft productioncontrasts with 2014, when MCI-Qingdao also built a substantial numberof 20ft reefers. The total amounted to7,000 TEU, thereby making up 15% ofall MCI reefer production in 2014. MCI-Qingdao accounted for roughly a third ofall 20ft production carried out last year,which ran at a record high level. A total of21,000 x 20ft reefers were delivered duringthat year, compared with the longerterm average of nearer 10,000 TEU/year.However, a big share went to MCI affiliate,Maersk Line, in order to service specificcontracts in New Zealand. The enhanced20ft production in 2014 was thuslargely a one-off and is very unlikely tobe repeated this year.In fact, 20ft output has so far been relativelylow, as only 3,500 units were deliveredduring the first six months of 2015.Almost half of this total has come fromCIMC’s Taicang factory, with the remainderdivided between Qingdao CIMCand the Singamas Qidong plant.The balance of output has, to date,been almost exclusively 40ft high cube,with CIMC factories supplying 76,000TEU in the first half of this year, as comparedwith 22,000 TEU from Singamas(and the aforementioned 32,000 TEUfrom MCI-Qingdao).By comparison, all factories were activelyproducing 20ft reefers during 2014,with CIMC delivering 9,000 units in totaland Singamas 5,000 (on top the 7,000from MCI-Qingdao).Nevertheless, these totals were stillsmall compared with the much greater40ft high cube production, of which122,000 TEU was to come from CIMC’sthree operational factories, 41,000 TEUfrom Singamas and 37,000 TEU fromMCI-Qingdao. The balance of productionin 2014 was made up of 1,500 TEUof 40ft (8ft 6in) reefers, built by QingdaoCIMC and MCI-Qingdao – and destinedfor Dole Shipping – plus severalhundred TEU of more specialised 45ftand 53ft size. These were also suppliedby Qingdao CIMC, which continues tooperate a line dedicated to reefer specials.Maersk Line investsThe large 20ft purchase made by Maerskin 2014 marked the company’s return toreefer investment after more than a year’sabsence, and it has also since resumed thevolume buying of 40ft high cube equipmentas well. This had hit an earlier highduring 2011-12, but could yet be evengreater in 2015 based on orders placedby the line so far. Its intake throughout2013-14, as a whole, amounted to just2,500 x 40ft high cube (including somespecials), but has since been followed bymore than 16,000 units delivered fromJanuary to June 2015. All of which spellsvery good news for MCI-Qingdao, asit tends to benefit from the majority ofreefer orders placed by Maersk.MCI had to rely more heavily on thirdpartybuyers throughout 2013-14, whenMaersk Lines’ own investment was lower,but – in sharp contrast – it is apparentlyalmost having to turn away some reeferbusiness from Maersk this year in orderto fulfil obligations to other establishedcustomers. MCI has long been treadinga careful path between the need to meetthe – often gargantuan – demands generatedin-house by Maersk and that of othersupportive clientele, whose patronagehas been sought and built up over lengthyperiods of time. Its long-term strategyof actively pursuing third-party business(particularly from leasing firms) was topay off during 2013-14, when the reeferproduction carried out for Maersk fellprecipitously, but MCI-Qingdao did notsuffer too great a drop in its overall output.The current year has not only witnesseda return of Maersk Line, as anactive reefer buyer, but also markedthe final commissioning of MCI’s newreefer plant in Chile – to be known asFirst tests of CA principleBased on a membrane filter,the first tests of Star Cool CA take place.CO 2O 2CO 2Controlled AtmosphereAir Exchange (O 2 ) Removal of C0 2A vacuum pump Respirationremoves CO 2fromCargo absorbs O 2and emits CO the container using2a membrane filter.SensorcalibrationNew software ensuresautomatic calibrationof the O 2/CO 2sensorduring every PTI test.By nowmore than30,000Star Cool CAsold to variousreefer operators,including severalTOP 10 container linesMCI San Antonio (MCIS). This project,as mentioned, has been under constructionsince 2012, and much of thepast year was taken up with a finalisingof the manufacturing process andthorough training of plant technicians.“The successful completion of tests andcalibration of the new production facilityhas ensured the fulfilment of our two toppriorities: safety and quality,” MCI saidrecently. “With this process behind us, wehave been able to officially declare MCISready for serial manufacture.” The factory’sdebut order, for 500 x 40ft high cubereefers, complete with integrated StarCool machinery, was placed shortly afterthis announcement and is now in progress.Flying southMCI’s decision to select South Americaas a location for its second reefer factory2007Star Cool CA is usedfor asparagus2012“CA ready”is introduced“CA ready” means preinstallationof fittings,hoses and cables readyfor later installation ofthe CA key components.This enables the reefer tobe converted into aCA reefer within hours.GasinjecjectiotionoptionThe first Star Cool CAshipments containbananasStar Cool CA is usedfor avocados2011201320142008CO 2N 2O O 22015Star Cool CA testwith mangosTel.: +45 73 64 34 00 · sales@maerskbox.com · www.mcicontainers.comTable 2: Reefer container production by type (TEU)Type20ft40ftOther**TotalTotal (units)Approved by the marketStar Cool CA - a reliable CA systemFirstCA trial testThe first trial shipment isof bananas, going fromEcuador to Denmark,loaded in a Star CoolCA reefer. Techniciansmonitored loading andunloading and measuredthe composition of N, Oand CO 2inside the reeferduring transportation.2009O 2201110,000293,0002,000305,000158,000*First half projection. **Specials of mainly 45ft and 53ft length. Source: Manufacturers’own dataN 2CO 2O20129,500217,5003,000230,000119,0002010The filter membraneand the CA system ingeneral are continuouslyimproved duringthe early years.201311,500190,0003,500205,000108,000*First half projection. Source: Manufacturers’ and owners’ dataFirst order for3,000 Star Cool CAMaersk Line makes the first orderfor 3,000 Star Cool CA reefers.100% AIR TIGHTNESSis a prerequisite fora reliable CA systemRisk of air leakagearound boltedreefer units201421,000200,0004,000225,000122,5002015*3,500130,0001,500135,00069,000Table 3: Reefer container production - fleet addition and replacement (TEU)Global productionFleet additionFleet replacementFleet size at end-yearAnnual fleet growth (%)2011305,000230,00075,0002,050,00012.02012230,000135,00095,0002,185,0006.62013205,000115,00090,0002,300,0005.32014225,000135,00090,0002,435,0005.92015*135,00085,00050,0002,520,0007.0CA curtainA new patented rubbercurtain track and a curtainmade of polyethyleneare introduced to ensure100% air tightness.100% air tightnessaround the reefermachine on Star CoolIntegrated reefersJune 2015 29