Maersk reefer containers

Maersk Container Industry (MCI) has called for tougher enforcement of European environmental legislation designed to protect the Earth's ozonelayer and help prevent climate change.

'We urge the European Commission to ensure enforcement of existing EU legislation regarding insulation foam in reefer containers,'said Peter Nymand, CEO for Maersk Container Industry. 'This would benefit the environment, and it would help European innovation and environmental investments pay off.'

Current EU legislation bans the 'import' or 'placing on themarket' of reefer containers with significant potential to damage the climate and ozone layer, although MCI noted that thousands of such containers circulate in Europe’s internal market on virtually the same market conditions as more environmentally friendly reefers.

SuPoTec, which was developed and patented by MCI in 2002, does not damage the Earth’s ozone layer, nordoes it cause significant climate change – as a result, customers and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have 'lauded SuPoTec for being an environmental step forward', the group said.

'This is environmental precaution,' said John Nordbo, head of the Conservation Department at WWF,Denmark. 'It is positive when enterprises, in this case Maersk Container Industry, move ahead of the legislation by developing products and production methods, which in turnmake it possible for legislators to demand more from the rest of the industry.'