Heavy weight shipper trio to address Cool Logistics Global in Algeciras this year LONDON - Chris Swartz from AJC International, Chayenne Wiskerke from Wiskerke Onions and Stefano di Paolo of Chiquita Brands International will take reefer carriers to task at the 9th Cool Logistics Global Conference in Algeciras on 25-27 September. Global fresh and frozen product shippers are becoming increasingly concerned about the level of service provided by ocean carriers, not just in in terms of service reliability, but critically when trying to access reefer containers from them. Last year only 75,000 new reefer boxes were ordered, compared with the usual 100,000 to 150,000. As a result, shippers and freight forwarders are becoming concerned that sooner or later they may run out of equipment. The effect of the likely box shortage on global perishable supply chains, coupled with the slower than expected realignment of carrier services on all routes handling significant volumes of perishables, will take centre stage at Cool Logistics Global this year, according to Thomas Eskesen of Eskesen Advisory. The bottleneck has become more acute since the announcement of the new alliances earlier this year. "With Thomas Eskesen chairing the Ocean Freight Debate on the 27 September and Ole Schack Petersen, SVP and Chief Strategy Officer at LCL chairing the sessions on 26 September, this year's programme will cover all the latest trends affecting the world of perishables", says Alex von Stempel, managing director of Cool Logistics Resources. No other shipping line, with the exception Maersk, has been buying large volumes of reefer boxes this year. Anne-Sophie Zerlang Karlsen, Global Head of Reefer Management and Catja Hjorth Rasmussen, Head of Equipment Excellence, Maersk Line will participate in various sessions, covering everything from technology to the effect of the Panama Canal and reefer container operations in Algeciras this year. A ground-breaking technical pre-conference workshop on 25 September chaired by Mathijs Slangen, Head of Strategy and Strategic Accounts, TIP Trailer Services and featuring special guest Martin Rapos, Mobility Director, Route Monkey will ensure that delegates will be sitting on the edge of their seat while witnessing the latest developments in predictive analysis and how this will unleash whole new dimensions in perishable supply chain thinking. The conference will be opened by Jose Llorca, President, Puertos del Estado and Manuel Morón, President, Port of Algeciras, setting the tone for a specially convened session on Ports and Perishables and will include as guest of honour Gonzalo Mortola, Chairman Port of Buenos Aires. Key sponsors and exhibitors include the Port of Algeciras, Agro Merchants, Puertos del Estado, Anserlog, Emerson Climate Technologies, Daikin, Kuehne + Nagel, Zeeland Seaports, DP World London Gateway, Drewry, foodcareplus, Fruit Logistica, Port of Dover, Seaco, Visbeen, Daikin, Hamburg Süd, Hapag-Lloyd, Kuehne + Nagel, Maersk Line, RTE and Transito 2000.