Leader – Q3 2026 – Integrated Reefer News
By Søren Leth Johannsen
CEO of Maersk Container Industry
Dear reader,
As our conservative industry starts advancing through greater connectivity, digitalization, improved energy efficiency, and an evolving refrigerant landscape, innovation continues to create new opportunities for our customers and the reefer industry as a whole. At the same time, long-term value depends on how well these innovations are supported by durable, reliable equipment that can perform consistently throughout its operational life.
Recent discussions across the industry have reinforced this point. The Container Owners Association recently shared findings from an industry-wide coatings survey, highlighting growing concerns around long-term coating performance and asset protection. For me, the significance extends beyond coatings alone. It serves as a reminder that some of the most important decisions in manufacturing are often the least visible, yet they play a critical role in protecting the value of an asset over time and the environment.
Reefer containers spend much of their operational life in harsh marine conditions where impact damages, humidity, salt exposure, and the daily wear constantly challenge the integrity of the equipment. That is why MCI has remained committed to hot zinc metallization as the foundation of our surface treatment process. Over many years, our experience has consistently shown that superior corrosion protection helps extend asset life, reduce maintenance requirements, and support a lower total cost of ownership.
In my view, delivering long-term value requires both innovation and durability. New technologies can improve performance, efficiency, and visibility, but lasting customer value is ultimately achieved when those innovations are built on a foundation designed to withstand the realities of everyday operation. Protecting customer investments starts long before a reefer enters service. It starts with manufacturing decisions designed to deliver reliable performance throughout the entire lifecycle of the equipment.
This focus on long-term value is reflected throughout this edition of Integrated Reefer News. You will also have the pleasure meeting Carol Zhang, who has been appointed Managing Director of MCI Qingdao and will help lead our production facilities into its next chapter. You can also read how customers such as Eimskip and Royal Arctic Line continue to invest in Star Cool 1.1 for operations in some of the world’s most demanding environments, and how our recent Service Meeting in Qingdao brought together partners from across the globe to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge, and continue improving the support we provide to customers every day.
Finally, I would like to invite you to visit us at Intermodal Europe in Rotterdam from 10-12 November, where the MCI team will be exhibiting at stand C60. We look forward to meeting all our valued industry partners and sharing our latest developments.
Thank you for reading and for your continued trust in MCI.
Warm regards,
Søren Leth Johannsen
CEO
