Over nearly half a century in the reefer trade, Cool Carriers has endured the sweeping changes that reshaped global shipping — from the rise of containerisation and the decline of European and Japanese operators — to industry consolidation and the pressures of decarbonisation.  

Through it all, the Swedish company has retained its identity, blending flexibility and tradition with strong Japanese partnerships and a steady focus on its specialist niche. 

Chief Operating Officer Glenn Selling reflects on the evolution of Cool Carriers with a mixture of pride and realism. “It’s difficult to leave shipping,” he admits. “It’s a fantastic world.” When he began in the 1980s, Europe and Japan teemed with operators, and the major banana producers ran their own fleets. “There was a huge number of reefer ships, operators, colleagues, competitors. Today, there are very few.”