A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) is to open a new 45,000 square-metre cold chain facility in the Waikato District, New Zealand.

Upon completion, the site will provide storage for 21,000 pallets of frozen and refrigerated products with more than 16,000 square metres of fully convertible temperature-controlled space.

According to Maersk, integrating the state-of-the-art cold store with the depot and intermodal connections will provide better logistics solutions for import and export customers, catering to their increasing needs for more efficient, tech-enabled and temperature-controlled supply chains.

Strategically located in the Ruakura Superhub, the new facility will easily access the road network between Hamilton and Auckland.

The site is adjacent to the Ruakura Inland Port, providing a seamless link to the Ports of Tauranga and Auckland, allowing it to serve better both the export regions and key import markets in the North Island.

"From dairy and meat to seafood and fruits, the primary industry sector is key to drive the development of New Zealand's economy," said Henrik Jensen, Managing Director Maersk Oceania.

"We are pleased to offer our customers innovative solutions and access to our integrated global network. We can contribute significantly to the country's economic growth and bring new opportunities to the communities we are part of.

"This cold storage facility will cater for both national and international supply chains, and in conjunction with our extensive New Zealand Ocean network connecting the world. We firmly believe it will enable us to be flexible and agile in our operations to ensure that we can match customers' needs with seasonal demand."

Maersk has entered into an agreement with Tainui Group Holdings (TGH) for a long-term ground lease to build the facility, which will start operation in late 2023.

Chris Joblin, Chief Executive of TGH, added: "Maersk's decision to locate its new cold storage facility at Ruakura is a significant addition to the New Zealand supply chain and how we connect to the world.

"For more than half of all New Zealanders who live in the 'golden triangle' of Waikato, Auckland, and Bay of Plenty, it also boosts the resilience of how critical food supplies are moved around the country and around the globe."

Toby Mildon, Head of Reefer at Maersk Oceania, also commented: "We have seen significant growing demand from exporters, importers and local processors who rely on temperature-controlled storage in the region.

"With the new facility in place and its close integration with Maersk's logistics solutions, we will offer more transparency and visibility of refrigerated cargoes and help customers build more efficient and resilient supply chains."

Earlier this month, Performance Team – A Maersk Company also announced plans for a new Toronto distribution centre to serve the growth of Canada's intermodal import and export cargoes.

The new facility aims to add more distribution centre capacity while reducing storage costs related to port demurrage and detention of international containers and creating a new supply chain infrastructure for end-to-end solutions.