Maersk announces NZ cold chain facility

Maersk has announced it will construct a new 45,000m² integrated cold chain facility in New Zealand’s Waikato District.

The state-of-the-art cold store will be integrated with depot and intermodal connections, which Maersk said will provide better logistics solutions for both import and export customers, catering to their increasing needs for more efficient, tech-enabled and temperature-controlled supply chains.

The new facility is strategically located in the Ruakura Superhub, 4km outside Hamilton CBD. It has easy access to the road network between Hamilton and Auckland and sits next to the new SH1 dual carriageway, the key transport corridor for the Waikato region. The site is also adjacent to the Ruakura Inland Port

Henrik Jensen, managing director of Maersk Oceania, said the facility would help service New Zealand’s primary industry sector, one of the drivers of the country’s economy.

“We are pleased to offer our customers innovative solutions and access to our integrated global network, through which we can contribute significantly to the country’s economic growth and bring new opportunities to the communities we are part of,” said Jensen.

“This cold storage facility will cater to both national and international supply chains, and in conjunction with our extensive New Zealand ocean network connecting the world. We firmly believe it will enable us to be flexible and agile in our operations to ensure that we can match customers’ needs with seasonal demand.”

Maersk has entered an agreement with Tainui Group Holdings (TGH) for a long-term ground lease to build the facility, which will start operation in late 2023.

Upon completion, the new facility will have more than 16,000m² of fully convertible temperature-controlled space with temperatures ranging from -25°C to 15°C. It can provide storage for over 21,000 pallets of cold chain products. 

The facility will feature advanced energy management including an environmentally friendly CO2 cooling plant, solar energy, rainwater harvesting and a low carbon policy for the construction. It targets to achieve an audited 5 Star Green Star rating in New Zealand.

“We have seen significant growing demand from exporters, importers and local processors who rely on temperature-controlled storage in the region,” said Tony Mildon, Maersk Oceania’s head of reefer.

“With the new facility in place and its close integration with Maersk’s logistics solutions, we will offer more transparency and visibility of refrigerated cargoes and help customers build more efficient and resilient supply chains.”