Maersk Container Industry launches energy meter to power cold chain transparency in Star Cool containers
To provide transparency into actual energy consumption throughout the transportation window, over land and sea, Maersk Container Industry (MCI) is introducing an energy meter feature integrated into all new Star Cool™ refrigerated containers. Maersk Line, the world’s largest container shipping company and part of Maersk’s Transport & Logistics division, became the first of MCI’s customers to take delivery of the new Star Cool reefers at the start of the year.
Widely recognised for its proven high energy efficiency, this latest development enables Star Cool reefers to log energy consumption in real time. The data can be monitored either via a modem or manually, at any time during the voyage, from when the Star Cool reefer is first turned on until it reaches its final destination.
In the quest to provide further transparency in its cold chain operations, Maersk Line has been running Remote Container Management (RCM) for several years, a system that brings real-time transparency into the company’s cold chain operations. Gaining further visibility into energy use is expected to provide substantial value in the area of energy consumption, which accounts for considerable operational costs.
With retailers and consumers increasingly focusing on the carbon footprint of the goods they buy, a reliable energy measurement tool will enable the shipping industry to provide documented evidence of CO2 emissions: not just for their vessels but right down to the individual reefer container.
The new Star Cool energy meter is an industry first. Previously, operators needed to rely on third-party devices to capture energy data, which could only be read manually during the voyage. As it was not logged, the data could not be used for future comparisons. The Star Cool refrigeration unit logs all data in real time, which can then be used to support strategic cost- and fleet optimisation processes.
About Maersk Container Industry
Maersk Container Industry (MCI) develops and manufactures refrigerated containers, dry containers and the Star Cool™ refrigeration machine for the intermodal industry, including shipping lines, fruit multinationals and leasing companies. Widely recognised as the most energy-efficient reefer, the Star Cool Integrated™ reefer features innovative technologies such as Controlled Atmosphere (CA). The company employs around 5,000 people. It has R&D and engineering test facilities in Denmark, two production facilities in China and one in Chile, as well as a global network of 400 service providers. Building on a heritage of more than 100 years in shipping and strong core values, MCI is part of the Transport and Logistics division of A.P. Moller – Maersk, an integrated transport & logistics company with multiple brands and a global leader in container shipping and ports.
