🧊 UPS completes acquisition of Frigo-Trans and BLP

Welcome back to CubeCold News where we cover the latest developments in the cold chain industry and temperature-controlled logistics.

In today’s edition:

• UPS completes acquisitions of Frigo-Trans and BPL

• CMA CGM tests battery-electric reefer regime for last-mile delivery

• Vertical Cold Storage opens new Kansas City facility

• Viettel inaugurates Vietnam’s first logistics park

• Cold Chain Sustainability Awards - entries open for all award categories

News

UPS completes acquisitions of healthcare cold-chain logistics providers Frigo-Trans and BPL UPS has completed its acquisition of two German healthcare logistics companies, Frigo-Trans and BPL.

• Based in Fußgönheim, Frigo-Trans specializes in temperature-controlled pharmaceutical transportation and warehousing across Europe, offering additional services like packaging and inventory management.

• BPL, headquartered in Düsseldorf, focuses on GDP-compliant shipping of temperature-sensitive products and manages air and ocean freight logistics with customs clearance capabilities.

• The acquisition, initially announced in September 2024, aims to strengthen UPS Healthcare's end-to-end capabilities for customers requiring temperature-controlled and time-critical logistics solutions globally. (link)

CMA CGM tests battery-electric reefer regime for last-mile delivery CMA CGM is testing a new battery-powered solution for last-mile refrigerated container transport in partnership with Thermo King and SeaCube.

• The E-Coolpac battery system is designed to replace traditional diesel generators for powering reefer containers, which typically require 7kW of power.

• The system can provide between 35-105kWh of electrical power and mounts to container chassis like conventional diesel gensets.

• While some note that grid electricity isn't always clean, the efficiency advantages are significant - grid power plants operate at 50-60% efficiency compared to diesel generators' 30%, resulting in lower CO2 emissions even with fossil fuel power sources.

• CMA CGM VP Fabien Gresy-Aveline called the e-genset a "game-changer" for operations, while Thermo King's Claudio Zanframundo highlighted its benefits for compliance with local emissions regulations and sustainable transport between ports and distribution centers. (link)

Vertical Cold Storage opens new Kansas City facility Vertical Cold Storage, backed by Platform Ventures, has opened a new temperature-controlled distribution center in Kansas City, Missouri.

• The 311,000+ sq. ft. facility features 47,000 pallet positions, blast freezing technology, and convertible temperature rooms ranging from +35°F to -20°F.

• The facility employs over 100 full-time staff and is strategically located near major rail terminals, including CPKC, BNSF, Union Pacific, and Norfolk Southern, providing comprehensive North American distribution access.

• CEO West Hutchison highlighted the center's state-of-the-art technologies and experienced team, while Platform Ventures Co-President Ryan Anderson emphasized how the facility leverages decades of temperature-sensitive warehouse expertise. (link)

Viettel inaugurates Vietnam’s first logistics park Viettel Group has launched Vietnam's first modern logistics park, marking a significant advancement in the country's logistics infrastructure.

• The $130 million facility spans 355 acres and can accommodate 1,500 vehicles daily.

• The park features end-to-end logistics services for import-export operations, including customs clearance, warehousing, and cross-border transportation.

• Its integrated data system connects directly with Vietnamese and Chinese customs, reducing clearance time from 4-5 days to under 24 hours and cutting costs by 30-40%.

• For refrigerated fruit transport, efficiency has increased from 2.5 to 4-5 trips monthly.

• Built with advanced technology including IoT, 5G, and AI, the facility aims to reduce overall logistics costs by 40%.

• According to Chairman Tao Duc Thang, this development is part of Viettel's larger plan to establish Vietnam as a major regional logistics hub through a nationwide network of logistics centers. (link)

🏆 Cold Chain Sustainability Awards Entries are now open for all award categories. The deadline to enter is January 24, 2025. (link)

Other headlines

Dothan Warehouse is investing $5.2 million to add 120,000 sq. ft. of temperature-controlled storage space in Alabama.

Taylor Logistics will operate the Maine International Cold Storage Facility opening near Portland's port in early 2025.

Irish transport company DG McArdle International has implemented Eureka's transportation management system to streamline operations across its 200-vehicle fleet.

SRV Road Freight has acquired beverage and food transport company BEVTRANS and plans to complete integration within 90 days.

Swift Haulage has formed a joint venture with Singapore's JWD Asia Holding to enter cold chain logistics.

Food travels through many cold spaces on its journey to our plate. Here's how refrigeration was invented.

That’s it for today!

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