Maersk Announces New Reefer Container

Maersk Line has announced the implementation of QUEST, which will enable a significant reduction in the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of refrigerated containers (reefers). QUEST (Quality and Energy efficiency in Storage and Transport) is a software solution, providing a new temperature control regime. The reefer container can cut the energy consumption used for cooling with up to 50% without impacting the quality of refrigeration solutions. Maersk Line estimates that QUEST will lead to CO2 emission reductions of 325,000 tonnes annually when fully implemented during 2008. Traditionally, containers maintain a constant supply air temperature in the reefer container, a process that uses high amounts of energy. QUEST, however, focuses on the temperature of the transported commodity. The solution is the result of a joint development project sponsored by the Dutch Government, and involving amongst others Wageningen University and Research Centre in the Netherlands, and Maersk Line.