HMM announces that it started its first ‘ultra-freezer’ service from Busan, Korea to Barcelona, Spain, based on its rich experience in the high-tech reefer container service.
Ultra-freezer service refers to the transportation of goods in -60ºC, which are above the limit of regular reefer containers (-35ºC to -40ºC). High technology and skilled personnel are also needed in the ultra-freezer service, as ultra-freezer containers need to maintain a very low temperature during the shifting, loading, and discharging process.
Ultra-freezer service
HMM can provide premium service on highly profitable items that were air-transported
Due to such reasons, freight rates of ultra-freezer service are 4 to 8 times higher than regular reefer containers. With this new ultra-freezer service, HMM can provide premium service on highly profitable items that were air-transported – such as raw tuna and sea urchin - through the ocean.
HMM provides this ultra-freezer service in Busan (Korea) – Barcelona (Spain), Busan (Korea) – Shimizu (Japan), and Algeciras (Spain) – Yokohama (Japan) routes. HMM plans to further expand high-value businesses such as ultra-freezer service in order to improve its growth and profitability.
Meeting customer demands
HMM official said, “This ultra-freezer service will do much to advance HMM’s world-class technology in reefer container management.” And that “We will continue to provide various services to meet customer demands.”
Meanwhile, HMM has successfully completed its pilot operation of Internet of Things (IoT) technology on reefer containers in August last year. With the IoT technology, cargo status (such as location, temperature, humidity, etc) will be checked and managed live on-time. Combining Blockchain technology with IoT technology will also expand the range of IT systems in the shipping industry.
