Having established itself as a primary operator in the specialised reefer vessel segment, Cool Carriers delivers fast and direct maritime transport for perishable cargo. The company is committed to providing efficient services to its clients across its global network. Chief Operations Officer Glenn Selling discussed recent investments, in conversation with Antonia Cole.
In recent years, Cool Carriers has focused on strategic growth, Chief Operations Officer Glenn Selling said: “We have successfully expanded our fleet and entered new trade routes to increase our global market share. This expansion has been driven by the demand for direct services that bypass the delays often associated with traditional container shipping.”
By maintaining a global network of offices in Chile, Cyprus, South Africa, Sweden and the USA, Cool Carriers is able to deliver tailored logistics solutions that prioritise speed and flexibility. With this, the company can respond effectively to the global produce market’s seasonal fluctuations, ensuring that arrival dates and port selections meet customer requirements.
Cool Carriers operates as a long-term charterer and commercial operator recently leasing a selection of advanced vessels from Japanese investors. With a total capacity of 14,000 pallets across both under-deck space and integrated containers, these vessels are among the largest and most sophisticated of their kind in the world.
“Our decision to support investments in these newbuilds was driven by favourable market conditions, which made it possible to focus on more efficient ship designs,” added Mr Selling. “Currently, our fleet services high-volume trade routes. This includes transporting kiwifruit from New Zealand to Europe, bananas from Ecuador and citrus from South Africa and South America to Northern European markets. By focusing on these profitable corridors and maintaining specialised equipment, we continue to provide effective solutions and there is a significant demand for our expertise.”
Specialised services
This year, Cool Carriers is introducing its Snow class of ships. These vessels represent a strategic shift in the company’s operational capabilities. The specialised fleet currently includes seven ships designed to maximise cargo efficiency through a hybrid loading model. Engineered to carry a combination of under-deck cargo and a high volume of high-cube containers on deck, these vessels have a total capacity of approximately 8,000 pallets.
“A defining technical feature of the Snow class is the 2.5-metre deck height,” explained Mr Selling. “This specific clearance allows the ships to accommodate high-cube pallets under deck, a significant advantage over standard reefer designs. Including these seven ships, we expect to operate at least 13 vessels featuring high-cube capacity in the near future.”
While the market is led by traditional container shipping, Cool Carriers maintains its position by focusing on its specialised niche. Container lines offer frequency; however, the dedicated reefer model provides larger volume shippers with direct transit between preferred terminals and without the delays of transhipment. This speed is a critical commercial advantage as direct delivery extends the shelf life of produce for retailers.
“We have also expanded our landside infrastructure to support maritime operations,” continued Mr Selling. “In early 2025, we opened the Guayaquil Banana Gateway. This features refrigerated warehouses at the port of Ecuador, reducing transit times and ensuring cargo is ready for immediate loading. By integrating port-side cold storage with specialised vessel transit, we are creating a seamless, reliable and fast logistics chain.”
Cargo capacity
In March 2026, Cool Carriers reached a significant operational milestone with the maiden voyage of the MV Snow Flower. The company celebrated this event alongside its partners Holt Logistics and Kitanihon Shipbuilding, carrying out a traditional Kagami Biraki ceremony. This is the first vessel in Cool Carriers’ new series of seven specialised Snow class reefer ships. The Snow Flower began its service by transporting New Zealand kiwifruit to Europe, linking major production regions with key consumer destinations.
“As a leading operator in the specialised reefer sector, we have designed the Snow class to meet the specific needs of the modern industry,” said Mr Selling. “Each vessel is engineered to transport 5,000 high-cube pallets of perishable goods, as well as having capacity for 168 reefer containers. The vessels will also allow exporters to exclusively utilise high-cube pallets, which means our clients won’t have to compromise on their cargo requirements.”
Cool Carriers is expected to deliver another two vessels of the Snow class by the end of 2026, with the remaining vessels to be delivered throughout 2027 and 2028. These ships will have capacities between 630,000ft3 and 660,000ft3 and will feature advanced hull and propulsion systems, as well as fuel-efficient engines. This will ensure the ships remain compliant with regulations as environmental expectations continue to evolve.
“By integrating these high-capacity vessels, we are strengthening our position on critical trade routes,” continued Mr Selling. “This includes Chile, Ecuador, South Africa and Argentina. The snow series represents a functional evolution in our ability to meet the technical demands of the global refrigerated trade.”
Progressing performance
Cool Carriers Chile is a key subsidiary of the company, driving significant international growth. The subsidiary recently reported strong operational results for the 2025 to 2026 summer season, which ended on 31st March 2026. Cool Carriers Chile transported over 260,000 pallets of fresh produce, including cherries, grapes and stone fruit, from the ports of Coquimbo and Valparaiso to the US, despite market fluctuations.
“We actually managed to increase our market presence during this challenging cycle, securing a 46.5 per cent market share to Gloucester, New Jersey,” commented Mr Selling. “This represented a growth of 11 per cent compared to the previous season. On the West Coast, we achieved a record 71.3 per cent market share in Los Angeles. These positive results are due to our specialised operating model that prioritises direct maritime routes and strict cold-chain integrity.”
With an average transit time of 12 days, Cool Carriers enables quick delivery and maintains high cargo quality standards. The broader South American region has also seen high activity levels in 2026. In Brazil, the MV Baltic Erica finalised the melon export season from Natal to Europe, completing 29 sailings and moving 200,000 pallets.
Optimised operations
As the global market continues to prioritise sustainability, Cool Carriers has addressed environmental performance through both technical and operational investments. The company collaborates with industry consultants to implement fuel-reduction measures across its fleet. This includes advanced hull designs, optimised propellers and engines specifically engineered to meet International Maritime Organisation and EU standards through to 2030.
“These modern vessels are significantly more efficient than previous generations,” commented Mr Selling. “To further improve our impact, we are also investigating the integration of biofuels on specific trade routes. Meeting regulatory requirements remains a key challenge for the industry, particularly regarding the administrative and technical demands of the EU emission targets. To manage this, we have heavily invested in new technologies to minimise our carbon footprint.”
Cool Carriers utilises modern systems to monitor both vessel performance and cargo integrity. For example, integrated weather routing systems optimise voyage paths to avoid adverse conditions, while onboard sensors continuously track temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels. By using real-time data to guide operations, the company ensures that cargo remains protected while optimising fuel consumption.
“Having spent over 45 years in the shipping industry, I have seen the sector evolve and transition through many phases,” added Mr Selling. “While the rapid expansion of container lines has changed the market, the specialised reefer segment maintains a key advantage in its flexibility.
“During global disruptions, such as pandemics or geopolitical conflicts, large-scale container networks often face significant delays. We are able to adapt more quickly to changing circumstances. As the industry moves forward, we plan to stay ahead of environmental regulations and transition alongside the sustainability movement. This includes taking a more active role in the design of future vessels, particularly regarding sustainable fuel systems and emissions technology.”
Driving development
With the maritime market continuously evolving, Cool Carriers relies on close relationships with clients and service providers to stay adaptable. The company prioritises accessibility and responsiveness in its relationships, guaranteeing effective and fast communication. Through this direct engagement, Cool Carriers has maintained high levels of customer retention, with many clients remaining with the firm for several years.
“While we operate across diverse global trade legs, we treat all customers and suppliers with equal importance,” said Mr Selling. “We recognise that excellent partnerships in every region are essential to maintaining a seamless logistics network.
“Looking towards the next decade, the specialised reefer segment faces continued competition from the expanding global container market. While container lines consistently seek to increase their market share, we have successfully defended our position by focusing on our established niches.”
In several regions the company has not only maintained its presence but has actively expanded. The full integration of the Snow class vessels into the fleet is expected to drive further growth going forward. These vessels will provide the technical capacity required to take advantage of new opportunities in the perishable goods market, enabling Cool Carriers to expand its global footprint.
“The shipping industry is very dynamic and always changing,” explained Mr Selling, in conclusion. “I am personally motivated by the complexity of managing international activities and the opportunity to collaborate with a talented global workforce. By embracing the challenges of a specialised industry and remaining committed to the specific needs of the fruit and perishable cargo sectors, we are well-positioned to navigate the evolving demands of maritime trade.
“Going forward, we plan to continue providing a vital, flexible alternative to standard containerisation.”
Bio – Glenn Selling
With more than five decades of experience in the global shipping industry, Glenn Selling is a highly respected maritime executive and specialist in reefer shipping. Following his service in the Swedish Navy from 1975 to 1976, he attended the Merchant Marine University before beginning his career at sea. In 1984, Mr Selling joined Cool Carriers AB, marking the start of a long and distinguished career in the reefer shipping sector.
Over the years he has held senior management positions with shipping companies based in Northern Europe and the United States. In 2011, he joined NYKCool (now Cool Carriers AB) in Stockholm as Vice President Commercial and was later promoted to Chief Operating Officer.
Today he oversees Cool Carriers’ worldwide network of routes, with company offices in Chile, Cyprus, South Africa, Sweden and the USA. With his direct input and great insight into both market and customers, Cool Carriers is now considered the leader in the specialized reefer vessel segment.