MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company remains the industry leader, with approximately 651,000 reefer plugs—roughly 20% of its total vessel capacity. This underscores MSC’s strong focus on temperature-sensitive cargo, with reefer capacity increasing by 11.7% year-over-year, closely matching its fleet expansion of 11.6% over the past year.

 

CMA CGM has also grown its reefer capacity by 10.4%, outpacing its overall fleet growth of 6.7%. This results in about 23.3% of CMA CGM’s fleet being dedicated to reefers, comparable to Maersk at 23.2%, ZIM at 22.7%, and Hapag-Lloyd at 21.0%.

 

Regionally, Asian carriers tend to have a lower proportion of reefer plugs, with ratios ranging from 16.2% for COSCO SHIPPING Group to 18.5% for Ocean Network Express. These differences reflect regional market demands and fleet strategies, contrasting with the approaches of European and North American carriers.

 

Summary:

Reefer capacity remains a key growth driver in global shipping, with major carriers expanding their refrigerated fleets to meet rising demand for temperature-sensitive goods. Leaders like MSC and CMA CGM are increasing reefer plugs faster than their overall vessel capacity, positioning themselves for future growth. Meanwhile, regional variations highlight diverse strategies tailored to specific market needs, emphasizing the dynamic nature of refrigerated shipping logistics.