Reefer industry braces for equipment shortage
The industry is on the cusp of a ‘major dilemma’ as already tight supply meets the demand shock from China’s sudden need to import pork as a result of the current African swine fever outbreak, and this will prove the tipping point. Reefer equipment supply is being squeezed as ocean carriers begin to reposition containers ahead of the perishables trade’s peak season
With reefer fleet growth flat this year and reefer production in the second half of 2019 seen unlikely to meet requirements, major questions have been raised about where additional boxes will come from