#Cyprus #Limassol #Cool Carriers #Snow-Class #Snow Flake

Cool Carriers Expands Fleet with Snow Flake

On July 9, 2026, Cool Carriers, recognized as the largest operator of specialized reefer vessels globally, announced the successful addition of its second next-generation Snow-class vessel, named Snow Flake. The vessel’s arrival marks a significant milestone for the company, following the recent launch of its sister vessel, Snow Flower, just three months earlier.

The inauguration of Snow Flake took place at Kitanihon Shipbuilding in Japan on June 29, 2026, with notable attendees including Cool Carriers’ Chief Executive Officer, Mikhail Ganyushin, and Nikolay Pavlyuchenko, the General Manager of Unireefer, the company’s general agent in Ecuador, Peru, and Argentina. The ceremony featured a traditional champagne bottle breaking, a significant maritime tradition that symbolizes good fortune for the new vessel.

Continuing the legacy of the Snow-class fleet, which is acclaimed for its performance in the refrigerated cargo sector, Snow Flake and its sister ship were designed to push the boundaries of refrigerated transportation. Each vessel in the Snow-class series can efficiently transport up to 5,000 high-cube pallets of perishable goods and accommodate 168 refrigerated containers, reaching an impressive cruise speed of 18 knots.

With operational capacities exceeding 630,000 cubic feet for the two initial vessels, the remaining ships in the Snow-class will provide around 660,000 cubic feet of storage. Their advanced hull and propulsion designs incorporate energy-efficient engines, meeting both IMO and EU environmental regulations, thus supporting Cool Carriers' commitment to reducing environmental impact while enhancing operational efficiency.

Snow Flake and Snow Flower are part of a larger strategy for Cool Carriers, which plans to introduce a total of seven next-generation vessels by 2028, aiming to bolster its presence in the specialized reefer market. An additional vessel expected to join the fleet later in 2026 reflects the company’s proactive fleet renewal strategy.

Glenn Selling, COO of Cool Carriers, remarked, "The addition of Snow Flake marks a step forward in our fleet’s modernisation process, characterized by advanced design and engineering. With these high-capacity vessels, we are better positioned to serve critical refrigerated trade routes, particularly between Chile, Ecuador, South Africa, and Argentina. The Snow-class vessels represent a key evolution in our specialized fleet, equipping us to meet rising customer demands for efficient and sustainable transportation, thereby reinforcing our leadership in the global reefer market."

Following her christening, Snow Flake will navigate from Japan to New Zealand, making stops at European ports in Spain and Italy. This deployment is anticipated to substantially enhance the company’s refrigerated cargo capacity, which now boasts the capability to transport up to 14,000 pallets, a combination of under-deck and containerized storage.

Crucially, Cool Carriers serves numerous significant refrigerated trade routes around the world, including the export of kiwifruit from New Zealand to Europe, bananas from Ecuador, and increased volumes from South Africa and Argentina destined for the European markets. With global demand for fresh produce growing exponentially year-round, Cool Carriers plays an indispensable role in maintaining resilient cold-chain logistics and ensuring robust food supply chains.

The debut of the Snow-class vessels not only underscores Cool Carriers’ commitment to reliability and capacity in transporting perishable goods but also highlights the company's proactive approach to environmentally friendly logistics practices.

For more information about Cool Carriers, visit their official website at Cool Carriers.