🧊 Investment is key to robust global cold chain

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

In today’s edition:

• Industry leader says investment is key to robust global cold chain

• NTG acquires DTK, expanding capabilities across Northern Europe

• Port of Wilmington, NC closer to becoming major cold chain link

• We Store Frozen expands with a new cold storage facility in Houston, TX

• Diana Shipping enters LPG shipping market

• A.P. Moller Capital to acquire 40% stake in AC Logistics

News

Industry leader says investment is key to robust global cold chain At 2025 Trans-Pacific Maritime Conference, Sara Stickler, President and CEO of the Global Cold Chain Alliance, stressed that continued investment is essential to strengthening the global cold chain.

• Despite geopolitical uncertainties and shifting tariffs, the cold chain remains resilient—especially in food logistics—due to consistent demand for temperature-controlled services.

• Stickler emphasized growing global middle-class consumption, increased demand for fresh and frozen products, and the need for infrastructure that supports nearshoring.

• Stickler also highlighted the importance of collaboration across the supply chain and noted the cold chain’s role in reducing food waste and supporting food security.

• In developing nations, cold chain growth is gaining momentum, driven by international investment and rising consumer expectations, but challenges like energy reliability, infrastructure, and financing persist. (AJOT)

NTG acquires DTK, expanding capabilities across Northern Europe NTG Nordic Transport Group A/S has acquired 100% of DTK BE Holding ApS, a Danish logistics provider, in a strategic move to strengthen its Nordic and European market presence.

• Headquartered in Padborg, DTK offers full and part-load cargo services, temperature-controlled transportation, warehousing, and in-house customs brokerage.

• Operating across eight locations in Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and the UK, DTK brings a strong customer base and decentralized business model to NTG.

• The acquisition, valued at DKK 620M ($90M) and pending regulatory approval, is expected to close by Q2 2025 and be fully integrated by H1 2026.

• NTG will fund the purchase via existing credit lines and plans to align DTK’s services with its Road Division while maintaining DTK’s temperature-controlled unit independently. (NTG Nordic Transport Group)

Port of Wilmington, NC closer to becoming major cold chain link The Port of Wilmington, North Carolina, is rapidly emerging as a key player in the U.S. cold chain, driven by strategic investments and a booming perishables market.

• Once heavily export-focused, the port has balanced its refrigerated import-export ratio from 1:9 to 1:4, with reefer cargo growing 235% since 2016.

• Key to this growth is nearly 1.5 million sq ft of cold storage developed near the port, and significant infrastructure upgrades, including an increase in reefer plugs from 230 to 1,500—with plans for 2,100.

• Wilmington fills a "mid-Atlantic gap" in cold chain logistics, offering efficient access to East Coast and central U.S. markets.

• Investments by companies like Cold Summit, RL Cold, and American Blueberries, alongside life science growth near Wilmington International Airport, further reinforce the region’s position. (AJOT)

We Store Frozen expands with a new cold storage facility in Houston, TX We Store Frozen has opened a new 180,000 sq ft cold storage facility in Houston, Texas, marking a major expansion to support the growing demands of the food, pharmaceutical, and logistics sectors.

• Strategically located in a major logistics hub, the state-of-the-art facility features advanced refrigeration systems, real-time monitoring, and energy-efficient infrastructure.

• It is designed to serve both large-scale clients—such as Costco, Walmart, CVS, and HEB—and a rising number of small suppliers thriving through social media and direct-to-consumer models.

• Company leaders emphasize Texas’s booming market and their ability to meet increasing cold storage demands with reliable, sustainable solutions.

• A strong focus on energy efficiency aligns with We Store Frozen’s commitment to environmentally responsible practices. (PR Newswire)

Diana Shipping enters LPG shipping market Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX), a global dry bulk shipping company, announced its strategic investment in Ecogas Holding AS, acquiring an 80% equity stake in a joint venture for the construction of two 7,500 m³ semi-refrigerated LPG newbuild vessels.

• This move marks Diana Shipping’s entry into the LPG market, with the first vessel expected in Q1 2027 and the second in Q4 2027, with an option for two additional vessels.

• Traditionally focused on dry bulk, Diana Shipping currently operates a fleet of 37 vessels with a total carrying capacity of approximately 4.1 million deadweight tons, excluding two upcoming methanol dual-fuel Kamsarmax newbuilds.

• With a growing modern fleet and continued expansion into greener fuel technologies, Diana Shipping aims to strengthen its presence in both dry bulk and gas shipping markets globally. (Globe Newswire)

A.P. Moller Capital to acquire 40% stake in AC Logistics A.P. Moller Capital, through EMIF II Holding III B.V., has agreed to acquire a 40% stake in AC Logistics, a logistics subsidiary of Ayala Corporation in the Philippines.

• Established in 2021, AC Logistics has swiftly become a major player in the country's logistics sector, offering integrated services in cold chain management, contract logistics, cross-border transport, and project logistics.

• The deal, pending regulatory approval, aims to strengthen AC Logistics’ market presence by leveraging A.P. Moller Capital’s global logistics expertise.

• This strategic partnership combines Ayala’s deep-rooted presence in the Philippines with A.P. Moller’s experience in global infrastructure and logistics investments.

• The partnership aims to create real, scalable logistics solutions while supporting the company's growth into a leading integrated logistics provider in the region. (A.P. Moller Capital)

Other headlines

Sansone Group, in partnership with Clous Road Partners, will develop a 212,000 sq ft cold storage facility in Columbus, Ohio, with construction set to begin Q2 2025.

CoolWay Trans deployed a Carrier Transicold Vector HE19 multi-temperature unit, boosting efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability across its growing fleet.

Kyrgyzstan is boosting agricultural exports to China with a new control warehouse in Ulugqat that streamlines customs, inspections, and storage for fresh produce and dried fruits.

Lindsay Australia has partnered with Redland Premium Fruit as its official 3PL provider, bringing national cold chain logistics expertise to support efficient fresh produce distribution.

Caribbean Airlines has unveiled a new 5,000 sq ft cold storage unit with advanced pallet handling to support regional trade and enhance reliability for perishable exports.

Qatar Airways Cargo has launched TechLift, a specialized air cargo solution offering advanced shock absorption and handling features for the safe transport of sensitive semiconductor components and equipment.

XPO Logistics has expanded its ExpressNow urgent shipment service across Europe, offering rapid, AI-powered logistics solutions for time-critical deliveries with real-time tracking and 90-minute driver mobilization.

That’s it for today!

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