With an investment of more than US$ 40 million for 2,300 containers, Hamburg Süd has awarded its largest contract ever for state-of-the-art Volumax refrigerated containers. On order are 20 foot and 40 foot containers equipped with modern cooling units featuring highly efficient scroll compressors and using the environmentally friendly R134a refrigerant.In extensive tests, units from different providers and employing different compressor technology were deployed. The decision in favour of the Volumax reefer containers fitted with scroll compressors is based on an exceptional cooling capacity, which has the ability to maintain loads at minus 25 degrees Celsius even in an ambient temperature of 50 degrees Celsius.

The refrigerated containers have optimized insulation and greater internal volume. A slim reefer unit was specially designed for the 20 foot container. By reducing installation depth to only 335 mm (13.2 inches) it was possible to increase the potential internal volume to 30 cubic metres for payload. Hamburg Süd will be the first customer to deploy this newly developed unit.