Cool Carriers takes delivery of first ship in new Snow class

Snow Flower, the first of seven ships in a new series of Snow class reefers. [Photo: Cool Carriers]

Limassol, Cyprus-headquartered Cool Carriers, the world’s largest operator of specialized reefer vessels, has taken delivery of Snow Flower, the first of seven in a new series of Snow class reefers from Kitanihon Shipbuilding in Japan.

Each vessel in the new Snow class is designed to safely carry 5,000 high-cube pallets of perishable fruit, along with up to 168 reefer containers, at a service speed of 18 knots. Two vessels have capacities of over 630,000 cubic feet, while five have capacities of 660,000 cubic feet.

“Cool Carriers is proud to introduce the Snow class,” said Cool Carriers COO Glenn Selling. “With a 2.5-meter deck height, these vessels represent a major step forward for the specialized reefer industry. Exporters will no longer need to choose between standard and high-cube pallets – the new vessels are designed entirely for high-cube cargo, matching the internal height of modern reefer containers.”

Deliveries are scheduled from March 2026 through to 2028.

The vessels will feature modern hull and propulsion designs, including energy-efficient engines engineered to meet IMO and EU environmental regulations through to 2030 and beyond.

This order forms part of Cool Carriers’ ongoing fleet renewal strategy, ensuring continued competitiveness in the specialized reefer segment. Following this order, the company will have a total of seven vessels on order, with two scheduled for delivery in the remainder of 2026.

Cool Carriers is both an owner and a time-chartered fleet operator, which includes leasing vessels from Japanese owners. The company’s expanding fleet represents a significant increase in reefer capacity, with vessels capable of carrying up to 14,000 pallets under deck and in containers combined.

Cool Carriers serves key global trade routes, including New Zealand to Europe (kiwifruit), Chile to the United States, Ecuador’s banana exports, and growing volumes from South Africa and Argentina to Europe.