Seatrade announces fleet expansion

Seatrade, the world’s largest reefer vessel operator and owner, and the leader in specialised reefer logistics, is pleased to announce that the company has agreed to acquire two high-specification container vessel new-buildings of 2.200 TEU. The vessels are of an eco design and are equipped with a high reefer capacity that equates to approximately 12.000 pallets. The vessels are scheduled for delivery from the Yangfan Group's facility in Zhoushan, China in January 2016.

This acquisition represents a significant step in Seatrade’s commitment to further develop its services and logistical systems dedicated to the transportation of perishable goods. This first order is representative of a larger new-building program involving vessels of similar type and capacity.

These specialised reefer-container vessels will be employed in current and newly developed trades and will form an integrated part of the FDD (Fast, Direct & Dedicated) concept developed by Seatrade in recent years.

Transit times and associated indirect costs are increasing on services operated by larger container lines and there remains a clear demand for FDD services operated by specialised reefers, specialised containers vessels and hybrid vessels.

Seatrade is continuing to improve and customize the FDD transportation and logistics solutions in niche trades that offer shorter delivery times, provide flexibility in seasonal volume fluctuations and service ports with dedicated infrastructure.

Seatrade is also seeking opportunities to increase its fleet with further acquisitions of new-buildings and/or modern secondhand tonnage, combined with possible strategic alliances with third-party owners in the same segment.

"This latest development is evidence of Seatrade’s long-term commitment to the industry; enabling the company and its worldwide network of dedicated offices to further improve service levels to its customers and partners in the years to come."

For more information:
Yntze Buitenwerf
Seatrade
Tel: +(32) 3 544 9493
Email: Yntze.Buitenwerf@seatrade.com