VETERAN New Zealand shipping practitioner Mike Knowles has been appointed regional representative for Cyprus-based Cool Carriers, the world’s largest operator of specialised reefer vessels.
Mr Knowles retired this year after starting with kiwifruit marketer and exporter Zespri in 1993, serving since 2001 as shipping manager or strategic shipping relationship manager. He was also the Zespri International representative on the New Zealand Cargo Owners Council (NZCOC, formerly NZ Shippers Council) and held the position of chair of the NZCOC from 2013 to August 2018 and again from 2024 to 2025.
Glenn Selling, chief operating officer at Cool Carriers, said the new arrival would bolster his company’s local expertise.
“New Zealand has long been one of the key global trade routes for Cool Carriers. Mike’s appointment reflects our continued investment in strengthening our capabilities across the region,” he commented.
“His extensive experience across shipping and logistics, combined with his proven leadership in complex operational programmes – including the successful execution of shipping operations throughout Covid-19 – will be invaluable as we continue supporting clients across Oceania.”
Mr Knowles told DCN the new role “fitted in perfectly” with his current plans.
“I am very happy with this exciting opportunity to represent Cool Carriers in the South Pacific, a company I know well and have respected for more than 30 years,” he said.
“With global disruption to international supply chains ongoing since the pandemic years Cool Carriers, with its fleet of specialized reefer ships, is in a strong position to offer perishable shippers a fast, dedicated and direct service that can bypass this disruption delivering cargo to its final destination on time.”
Cool Carriers, which has its origins in the famous Swedish reefer operator Salèn, took delivery of Snow Flower from Kitanihon Shipbuilding in Japan on 4 March and immediately despatched it to Eastland Port (Gisborne) and Tauranga to load kiwifruit for Europe.
The vessel is the first in a seven-ship newbuilding program, with vessels designed to 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.
Deliveries are scheduled through to 2028. The names draw inspiration from the company’s original and highly regarded Snow-class vessels, Cool Carriers says.