Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has announced the commencement of 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 transportation of goods in -60ºC, which is above the limit of regular reefer containers (-35ºC to -40ºC). High technology and skilled personnel are needed in the ultra-freezer service, as ultra-freezer containers need to maintain the very low temperature during the shifting, loading and discharging process. Therefore, freight rates of the ultra-freezer service are 4 to 8 times higher than regular reefer containers.
With this new foray, HMM can provide premium service on highly profitable items that are generally air-transported, such as raw tuna and sea urchin, through the ocean. HMM provides this ultra-freezer service in the Busan (Korea)-Barcelona (Spain), Busan (Korea)-Shimizu (Japan) and Algeciras (Spain)-Yokohama (Japan) routes.
It plans to further expand high value businesses, such as the ultra-freezer service, in order to improve its growth and profitability.
An HMM official said: “This ultra-freezer service will do much to advance HMM’s world class technology in reefer container management… we will continue to provide various services to meet customer demands.”
Meanwhile, HMM had successfully completed its pilot operation of Internet of Things (IoT) technology on reefer containers in August last year. With IoT technology, cargo status (such as location, temperature, humidity, etc.) can 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.
