Reefer Cargo Growing 3.9% Per Year, Drewry Says, With More Growth Expected
Worldwide trade via specialized refrigerated containers increased by 54.5 million tons between 2001 and 2011, for an annual growth rate of 3.9%, with seaborne trade reaching almost 91 million tons in 2011, according to a new report by Drewry Maritime Research. It said the perishable reefer trade remains resilient to adverse economic conditions and future growth in cargo volume is inevitable.
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Seaborne perishable reefer trade grew to 90.9 million tons in 2011. The biggest tonnage growth was in the meat category which grew from 21.4 million tons in 2001 to 35.9 million tons in 2011. Trade in bananas/plantains grew from 13.2 million tons in 2001 to 15.7 million tons. Following three successive years of declining volume the banana trade increased by almost 10% in 2011.
Drewry forecasts continued growth in perishable reefer cargo for 2012. Beyond that, population growth levels and GDP levels will result in trade increasing at an average rate of over 4% per year to 2016, it said. But it said the specialized reefer fleet continues its inexorable decline, with a reduction of 234 vessels and 81 million cubic feet in the last ten years. During 2010 and 2011 a total of 77 vessels (28.2 million cubic feet) were scrapped, and by mid-2012 42 more vessels were added to the list.