"The retail chains view shipping as a component within a sophisticated logistics and supply chain management system," says John Fossey, Drewry Shipping Consultants Ltd. Transparency will loom larger among shipper demands.
In its recent Reefer Shipping & Logistics - Re-engineering the Cold Chain, London-based Drewry Shipping Consultants Ltd. noted shippers and consignees are placing new demands on carriers who transport or handle reefer cargos in ships and within terminals.
"The 2003 season has provided a boost for the conventional reefer ship sector, for which moves to consolidate the industry can claim some benefit, says Drewry's John Fossey. "There are key aspects of conventional palletized cargo working - particularly in the major fruit trades - that should fit better with the emerging supply chain requirements than containerized options."
Driven by population growth and increased wealth, there's an added cultural dimension driven by demand shifting from customers being content with seasonal availability of products to requiring a 365-day-a-year availability.
The report also offers a statistical overview of reefer and reefer container fleets, insight into equipment and ship design influences, and an analysis of reefer ship operation costs. www.drewry.co.uk
