November 2000

A Europe-wide e-marketplace for refrigerated transport and storage is slated for launch next year by GoReefers, a Web-based service operating out of Rotterdam. The team behind it is led by Lars Gunnar Larsson, former vice president of Cool Carriers and general manager of Seatrade Reefer Chartering.

GoReefers aims to offer a wide range of services through the site, including shipping, cold storage and trucking, supported by online documentation, cargo tracking and tracing, quality control and cargo insurance. Some elements of the service are due to be rolled out early, including an interactive module called Cargo Exchange, which is intended to help operators match demand with capacity. GoReefers has already secured the services of Michael Wilson, who was formerly head of the technical team at eBay, the online auction specialist. He has also worked for Oracle Corporation and eShop. Development work on the site is being handled by Network Chartering, an Internet application service provider specialising in marine markets, with bases in London and Canada. The company has also formed a strategic partnership with Orion Shipping, a Norwegian-based reefer brokering company, which will support its help desk and aims to channel reefer business through the Exchange module.