Drewry expects seaborne perishable trade to increase 17% between 2013 and 2018.
Brave niche players can fend off competition from conventional container lines

OPPORTUNITIES remain for specialised reefer shipping companies despite container shipping lines making inroads into that niche of the market. In its latest Container Insight Weekly, Drewry says container lines are targeting the reefer sector to take advantage of higher rates and growth than dry containers can match. The age of the specialised reefer fleet and the fact that there are virtually no orders for this type of vessel mean that reefer container vessels will continue to grab market share. And box lines’ growing interest in the sector will put rates – and therefore reefer operators – further under pressure.

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