Refrigerated container versus bulk: evidence from the banana cold chain

During the last 20 years, the reefer shipping sector has been characterised by a gradual changing process, leading from specialised vessels to reefer containers. In fact, the reefer bulk fleet has experienced an irreversible decline, while the reefer container fleet has shown a continuous growth. This article investigates the current major factors shaping the reefer shipping industry, in order to understand the economic drivers inducing competition between bulk and containers. Therefore, a twofold analysis has been performed. First, an overview of the reefer market, including the cold chain, the demand for refrigerated products and the supply of reefer capacity given both by containership fleet and by conventional reefer fleet. Second, a specific case of the banana trade has been carried out for evaluating the revenues of each player involved in the banana cold chain followed by a cost analysis. The results reveal the market tendencies, focusing on the main sources of competition for bulk versus container.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2013.851421
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/2899960
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of Taylor & Francis.
• Authors:
  • Arduino, Giulia
  • Carrillo Murillo, David
  • Parola, Francesco
• Publication Date: 2015-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 228-245
• Serial:
  • Maritime Policy & Management
  • Volume: 42
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 0308-8839
  • EISSN: 1464-5254
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tmpm20

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Agricultural products; Bulk cargo; Case studies; Competition; Containerships; Economic analysis; Market share; Refrigerated cargo; Refrigerated ships
• Subject Areas: Economics; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01560355
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 13 2015 9:22AM