GST DBG Reefer Control Tower KV Stage x re

Every degree. Every mile. Under control.

Reefer Control Tower

Hapag-Lloyd pioneered the Reefer Control Tower in the shipping industry insuring our most valuable and sensitive cargo gets shipped and arrives on time as promised. With a dedicated global team of experts in 3 high demand locations around the world, we proactively identify potential operational risks, take action to mitigate any impact your reefer cargo could face.

Since 2021 we have delivered the highest level of quality that you and your cargo can expect ensuring a seamless end-to-end operation though advanced monitoring, dedicated reporting and direct personalized communication.

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reefer containers with perishable cargo monitored
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of the most demanding trade lanes covered
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years (and counting) of highest quality customer support

Why you should trust in the Reefer Control Tower

End-to-end visibility

A dedicated team of experts ensures your cargo is monitored at all times reducing risk and improving operational control.

Speed to market

With priority handling and alternative routings when needed we ensure that your cargo arrives at its destination as promised.

Reduced workload

Personalized tracking and proactive contingency management give you complete peace of mind while accelerating decision making across your logistics chain.

Direct contact with our team with your preferred method of communication – be it email, phone, WhatsApp or Teams – resulting in higher service reliability to stay ahead and efficiently manage your shipments.

Where we are supporting you

Hapag-Lloyd’s Service Explorer is an interactive, dynamic tool that brings our global network to life – clear, visual, intuitive, and always up to date.
Unlike traditional service pages or static maps, it gives you a real-time overview of how ports, regions, and in future also inland points are connected across our entire network.

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Contact our experts

Discover the Reefer Control Tower, our premium support offering within the Hapag Lloyd portfolio of value - added services - designed to go beyond the standard of customer care.

For more information, please contact your sales representative.

 
Your key benefits with Reefer Control Tower

RCT Priority Loading

Priority when it matters

We verify that your reefer containers are loaded onto the planned vessels, exactly as booked. You will be notified of the status of your shipments every step of the way giving you the option to act and adjust your supply chain as necessary.

RCT ENd end coverage

End-to-end coverage

From start to finish, you have a dedicated team of reefer experts as your dedicated point of contact at both origin and destination, someone who knows your cargo and understands your needs. 

RCT Clear Reporting

Clear shipment reporting

You receive clear, regular, standardized reports on your reefer shipments, schedules and status of your cargo along the way. No chasing information allowing you to focus on what matters most to your business: the full picture of your cargo, in one consistent format.

RCT Fast personalitzed

Fast and personalized exception handling

If your plans change, our reefer specialists assist you with your specific needs and come back to you with the best available options, not just a notification. You are always informed allowing you to make better decisions for your cargo. 

RCT Contingency Management

Hands-on contingency management

We act immediately to protect your cargo and maintain its cold chain. From securing power to rebooking and internal escalation, we take ownership of the problem and drive solutions, so your cargo keeps moving. 

RCT Seemless transshipment

Seamless Transshipment Management

Wherever your cargo changes vessels, we keep a close eye on the connection. We monitor your transshipments to ensure the cold chain and keep your container moving on schedule and take action if connections are at risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Reefer Control Tower is a dedicated support service within Hapag-Lloyd’s portfolio of value-added services. A specially trained team gives your temperature-controlled cargo end-to-end coverage: monitoring every reefer shipment, confirming loadings, watching transshipments and stepping in whenever your cargo needs attention, so disruptions are handled quickly and your shipments keep moving. You can include the Reefer Control Tower directly in your quotation, so your cargo is covered from the very start.

No. Digital tracking tools have been part of Hapag-Lloyd for years and show you where your container is. The Reefer Control Tower is not a self-service tool but a dedicated team of experts who actively monitor and manage your shipments. They interpret what is happening, act when something deviates and give you a clear action plan, going beyond what a tracking screen alone can do.

When the Reefer Control Tower is included in your quote, you receive:

  • Proactive schedule-deviation alerts on selected services
  • Monitoring and advancing of transshipments to secure the fastest available connection
  • Clear, standardized reports that can be adapted to your needs
  • A dedicated point of contact who resolves operational deviations and handles ad-hoc requests
  • Hands-on contingency management when disruptions occur

The team is active throughout your shipment, not only when problems occur. It monitors your cargo proactively whilst keeping you informed, secures your connections at every transshipment, and steps in whenever there is a deviation, such as a delay, a reefer unit malfunction or a customs inspection. It also orchestrates contingency measures when your cargo is affected by events such as port omissions or changes to a vessel’s rotation, always with a clear plan to keep your cargo moving.

Coverage begins the moment your full container is delivered to the terminal at the port of loading. From that point, the Reefer Control Tower team monitors your shipment, confirms loading, optimizes every transshipment, flags deviations and manages contingencies, all the way through to its final place of delivery.

The Reefer Control Tower currently covers these services:

  • Latin America to North Europe (SWX)
  • Latin America to South Europe (MSW)
  • Latin America to Middle East (ECX)
  • Latin America to Africa (SAT)
  • Africa to North and South Europe (WWA and SAX)
  • Africa to Middle East (MIA)
  • India to North Europe (IOS and IMX)

If you are unsure whether your lane is covered, your Hapag-Lloyd sales representative can assist you with more information.

The Reefer Control Tower is currently offered for 20 ft and 40 ft operational reefer containers.

Yes. You have a knowledgeable direct point of contact at both origin and destination who understands your cargo and can assist with any special requirements you may have along the way.

If a reefer unit malfunctions or the original route is disrupted, our team steps in to keep the impact on your cargo to a minimum. We take ownership of the situation by rerouting, arranging priority handling, keeping the unit powered, updating documentation or escalating internally, and we keep you informed throughout the entire transit, so your shipment keeps moving, giving you peace of mind.

Temperature monitoring is not part of the Reefer Control Tower. For live visibility of your container’s temperature and reefer data throughout its journey, Hapag-Lloyd offers a dedicated product, Hapag-Lloyd Live. What the Reefer Control Tower does is act when a reefer unit malfunctions: our team steps in to address the problem and keep the impact on your cargo to a minimum.

The Reefer Control Tower is offered during the quotation phase: when you request a quote, you can include the service so that it applies to all bookings made under that quote. For more detailed information about the Reefer Control Tower, please contact your local sales representative.

Pricing is provided as part of your individual quotation. For more detailed information about the Reefer Control Tower service and to understand which product is best for you, please contact your local sales representative.

If the Reefer Control Tower service applies to your shipment, it will appear on the booking confirmation you receive when the shipment is accepted. The service is invoiced together with the sea freight. If a booking is not confirmed or is cancelled, no fee applies.