🧊 Biocair expands APAC presence with Shanghai office

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

In today’s edition:

• Biocair announces rapid APAC expansion with new office in Shanghai

• TIP Group and Sunswap launch EU trials with DLG

• Samskip launches Morocco’s first reefer short‑sea service to UK and Netherlands

• Fresh Del Monte and CMA CGM shift to containerized banana and pineapple routes, raising cold chain standards in Asia

• Q2 2025 Earnings - Lineage, Inc and Americold Realty Trust

News

Biocair announces rapid APAC expansion with new office in Shanghai Biocair, a global leader in life science logistics, has announced the opening of a new office in Shanghai, China, as part of its rapid APAC expansion.

• The facility is strategically co-located with its warehouse near Pudong International Airport and Pharma Valley in the Zhangjiang High Tech Zone, enabling enhanced collaboration between operations, sales, warehouse, and transportation teams.

• The company has achieved 25% business growth in APAC during the first half of 2025, driving the need for this expanded facility that doubles the footprint of Biocair's previous Shanghai office.

• The dedicated Shanghai team provides comprehensive regional expertise in customs regulations and local transport networks, offering full temperature-controlled logistics services ranging from controlled ambient (15-25°C) to liquid nitrogen dry shipper (-196°C).

• This expansion strengthens Biocair's position as a leading global logistics provider while supporting both growing APAC clients and global clients shipping to the region. (Biocair)

TIP Group and Sunswap launch EU trials with DLG TIP Group and Sunswap have launched European trials of zero-emission transport refrigeration technology with Daily Logistics Group (DLG).

• The trial features Sunswap Endurance, an innovative refrigeration unit that combines advanced battery technology with integrated solar panels mounted on trailer roofs.

• This system has already demonstrated up to 81% savings in operating costs compared to traditional diesel refrigeration across UK operations.

• Each unit eliminates lifetime CO2 emissions equivalent to removing 26 cars from the road annually, while producing zero NOx emissions and particulate matter.

• DLG will test this technology across demanding European routes to prove its viability for long-distance cold chain logistics.

• TIP Group, with over 16,000 refrigerated trailers in their fleet, aims to eliminate diesel use in new refrigerated trailers. (Sunswap)

Samskip launches Morocco’s first reefer short‑sea service to UK and Netherlands Samskip has launched Morocco's first fast, sustainable container route connecting Agadir and Casablanca directly to the UK and Netherlands.

• This dedicated Moroccan Reefer Service is specifically designed for fresh produce, offering the fastest door-to-door transit times in the market and serving as a true alternative to traditional road transport for Moroccan fruits and vegetables.

• The service features weekly non-stop sailings with integrated door-to-door solutions, including seamless customs clearance and inland transport.

• Key benefits include up to 80% CO₂ reduction compared to full road transport, compatibility with 45ft reefer containers, and connection to Samskip's European multimodal network enabling deliveries throughout Europe within days of Rotterdam arrival. (Samskip)

Fresh Del Monte and CMA CGM shift to containerized banana and pineapple routes, raising cold chain standards in Asia Fresh Del Monte and CMA CGM have partnered to revolutionize banana and pineapple shipping from the Philippines to Japan and South Korea by replacing traditional breakbulk methods with containerized transport.

• This shift addresses longstanding quality issues where fruit was exposed to temperature fluctuations and excessive handling during breakbulk shipping.

• The new service operates on two routes: JP8 connecting Davao to major Japanese ports, and BMX providing weekly service to Busan, South Korea.

• Each container functions as a mobile cold room, maintaining consistent temperature-controlled conditions from farm to customer, significantly reducing fruit waste and extending shelf life.

• The partnership represents a strategic shift toward more sustainable, quality-focused logistics in the fresh produce industry, benefiting retailers, consumers, and the environment through reduced waste and improved fruit quality. (Business Wire)

Q2 2025 Earnings

Lineage, Inc. reported moderate revenue growth, but experienced margin compression and issued a downward revision to its guidance.

• Revenue: $1,350million (up 0.9% year-over-year)

• Adjusted EBITDA: $326million (down 2.4%), margin at 24.1%

• FFO: Funds From Operations beat expectations by 8%

• Full-Year Guidance: Lowered 2025 adjusted EBITDA target to $1.29–$1.34 billion (from $1.35–$1.40 billion previously)

Americold’s revenue declined, but net income improved thanks to cost measures; however, ongoing operational challenges remain.

• Revenue: $650.7 million (down 1.5% year-over-year)

• Net Income: $1.6 million ($0.01 per diluted share), versus a net loss of $0.23 per share last year

• EPS: Missed analyst estimates by $0.06

• Same-Store Metrics: Same-store revenue and NOI declined 1.5% year-over-year

Other headlines

The Global Cold Chain Foundation received a grant from Danone Institute North America to pilot an energy efficiency program with two Texas food banks, aiming to reduce energy consumption and costs through audits, recommendations, and technical support for more sustainable cold chain operations.

Fortnum & Mason partnered with CoolKit to develop a bespoke fully-electric refrigerated van for premium goods delivery across Central London, maximizing load space while maintaining the retailer's refined brand identity.

Geotab unveiled an advanced cold chain solution with new IOX-COLD hardware and enhanced MyGeotab software features to improve visibility and control for temperature-sensitive logistics.

CONCOR launched IceBattery technology, offering 50 hours of diesel-free temperature control, and completed more than 30 pharmaceutical and agricultural shipments using the system.

NASA is testing an innovative "tube on tank" two-stage cooling system to achieve zero boiloff storage of cryogenic rocket fuel, essential for long-duration Mars missions that require storing propellants for months or years in space.

That’s it for this week!

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