reefer container

Cogoport, an Indian-based digital logistics platform, has announced the addition of refrigerated cargo services to its platform, facilitating shipments to and from destinations around the globe.

Its customers can now compare rates and book reefer containers through a host of partner shipping lines on the company’s platform. The company works with 60 major international shipping line providers, more than 40 non-vessel operating common carriers and 300 freight forwarders.

This addition comes in response to the rapid growth in refrigerated exports India has experienced in the last decade, with fresh fruit and vegetables helping to drive the demand for reefer imports and exports the company said.

Refrigerated exports from India grew by 27 per cent in 2018 driven in part by demand for organic food from North America, Europe, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Vietnam, one example is the export of onions, which rose by 15 per cent year-on-year in 2018 over 2017.

“We are now able to pass on the benefits of Cogoport digital shipping to customers who move refrigerated goods – typically small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) moving seafood, fruit and vegetables, chemicals and pharmaceuticals,” said Purnendu Shekhar, founder and chief executive of Cogoport.

“We are meeting significant demand for reefer exports to North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and to those importing refrigerated cargoes – enabling SME shippers all over India to deliver better productivity, service and profitability when moving their perishable cargoes,” he added.

Anish Patel from Jyoti Exports, one of Cogoport’s customers, exports potatoes and onions to markets across Asia and the Middle East and expects this new service to help his company meet demand.

'Indian potatoes are in huge demand especially in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Mauritius where there is a shortage of good quality potatoes because the geography and climate are not favourable. Freshness is key and an efficient refrigerated export system is vital for our exports,” Patel said.