With their continually growing refrigerated (reefer) container capacity, containerships are grabbing a worrying share of perishable transport from specialised reefer operators.

But reefership operator Seatrade is investing in a new-building programme of fully containerised reefer vessels.

It is seeking to differentiate itself from the liner container carriers with shorter transit times, direct routings and reefer-dedicated box shipping services, reports Drewry’s.

In doing so, the report added, it has rebranded itself an FDD operator: Fast, Direct and Dedicated.

The company has firm orders for six vessels of between 500 and 700 feu of reefer capacity, and options for a further six.

Whether other specialised reefer operators follow suit remains to be seen, said Drewry’s.