Hapag-Lloyd warns of reefer risk from Japanese electricity blackouts

ELECTRICITY shortages in Japan this summer are putting reefer cargo at risk of rotating power blackouts particularly at Osaka and Kobe terminals, warned Hapag-Lloyd, which urges special care be taken with cold chain freight.

Germany's largest liner shipping company advised shippers to implement strategies to cut yard time, reports London's Containerisation International.

"We recommend you take delivery of your cargo at the earliest possible date directly after vessel discharge," said the Hapag Lloyd statement."For all reefer customers with refrigerated cargo originating from Kobe and Osaka, we recommend you deliver your container at the latest possible date and as near to vessel loading operations commencing," said the statement.

The company said that demand for electricity this summer "would be high" and supply would be "tight", resulting in possible power supply disruptions, including revolving blackouts.

Hapag-Lloyd, in the midst of a corporate reefer expansion, runs several weekly services to Japanese ports to North America, Europe and the Mediterranean.