| Written by Mark Buzinkay
Nordic cold chain: Temperature-sensitive export cargo
The Nordic cold chain industry provides products and services that ensure temperature-controlled storage and transportation. This includes comprehensive solutions for pharmaceuticals, food, and other goods that require strict temperature management. Among these temperature-sensitive items are seafood, dairy products, and meat.
"2024 was characterized by quota cuts for cod, significant production challenges for salmon, geopolitical fluctuations and economic turmoil in the global market. When the value of seafood exports nevertheless rises to a historically high level, it is incredibly strong," says Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council.
"Once again, Norwegian seafood exports have set new records, and I am impressed by everyone who has contributed. The Norwegian seafood trade is a fantastic example of how sustainability can be combined with economic value creation," says Marianne Sivertsen Næss, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy. (1)
In 2024, Norway achieved a record in the value of its seafood exports, surpassing all previous years. Over the course of the year, a total of 2.8 million tonnes of Norwegian seafood, with a value of NOK 175.4 billion (approximately EUR 14.672 billion), was exported to more than 150 countries around the world. This number included the export of species like salmon, cod, mackerel, trout, herring, saithe, haddock, prawn, Greenland halibut, redfish and king crab. In fact, the seafood industry is Norway's second-largest export sector after oil and gas. (2)
What is The cold chain in Norway?
The cold chain market in Norway is expected to reach a projected revenue of US$ 12,345.1 million by 2030. A compound annual growth rate of 18.9% is expected of Norway cold chain market from 2024 to 2030. (3)
The most important element of cold chain logistics are ports, which connect Norway with its global business partners. Although the cold chain is a long journey of warehouses, transport means, storage spaces and last-mile delivery, ports are essential knots to collect, temporarily store, prepare cargo and load/unload shipments.
Norway's seafood exports rely heavily on a network of key container terminals that are equipped to handle temperature-sensitive cargo. At the forefront is the Port of Oslo, Norway's largest port, where the container terminal at Sjursøya manages a significant share of seafood shipments. Its central location allows for swift distribution, reaching most of the country within just a few hours.
Further along the coast, the Haugesund Cargo Terminal (HCT) plays a crucial role. HCT is specifically geared toward refrigerated and frozen cargo, offering extensive cold storage facilities. Meanwhile, the Port of Fredrikstad stands out with its facilities operated by Constellation Cold Logistics, which provide blast freezing, tempering, and container services tailored to cold chain requirements.
The Port of Ålesund is also an essential hub, especially with Maersk planning a state-of-the-art cold storage facility to enhance the efficiency of seafood exports from the region. Similarly, the Port of Bergen, a well-established centre for fish farming exports, offers comprehensive infrastructure to support large volumes of refrigerated cargo.
In central Norway, the Port of Trondheim features modern facilities that manage containerized shipments, including temperature-sensitive goods. Further north, the Port of Tromsø serves as a critical gateway for seafood exports from the Arctic regions, with the capability to handle large volumes of refrigerated products.
The Port of Narvik, while historically focused on ore exports, has expanded its services to accommodate refrigerated containers, thus supporting seafood shipments from northern Norway. The Port of Bodø also contributes to the cold chain, offering facilities suited for handling temperature-sensitive cargo from the local fishing industry. Lastly, the Port of Kristiansund provides essential services for refrigerated exports, helping move locally sourced seafood efficiently to international markets.
Haugesund Cargo Terminal HCT and Haugesund Stevedoring
Haugesund Cargo Terminals (HCT), located at Husøy, stands among the largest and most strategically important traffic ports in Western Norway. Serving as a critical logistics hub, HCT plays an essential role in supporting both domestic and international trade, with its significance expected to grow even further in the years ahead.
At HCT, a distinctive range of services is available, combining the functions of a National Fishery Port with those of a modern container terminal. The port accommodates roll-on/roll-off (roro) and general cargo, creating an integrated solution that increases efficiency for a wide variety of industries, especially seafood exports and containerized shipping. Thanks to its advantageous location with direct access to the North Sea, HCT benefits from excellent connections to key markets in Europe, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, and the Baltic region.
Situated centrally between Bergen and Stavanger, Husøy enjoys seamless links to major road networks such as the E-134 and E-39, positioning it as an ideal transhipment point for both international and domestic freight. The container terminal is outfitted with state-of-the-art handling equipment, including harbour cranes, reach stackers, and front loaders, to ensure efficient cargo operations.
Furthermore, HCT serves as a premier hub for reefer logistics, providing 320 reefer plugs along with extensive cold storage facilities and specialized services for reefer containers. Its advanced capabilities in managing frozen and perishable goods solidify its reputation as one of Scandinavia's foremost ports for temperature-controlled logistics.
Haugesund Stevedoring AS commenced operations on January 1, 2018. The company is a collaborative venture among several stakeholders, including Karmsund Port Authority, KTM Shipping AS, Sea Cargo Agencies Stavanger AS, Johs Lothe AS, North Sea Management AS (NCL), and Samskip. (haugesundstevedoring.no)
Haugesund Stevedoring AS offers a comprehensive range of services designed to enhance maritime logistics efficiency. These services encompass loading and unloading during vessel calls, depot services—including storage, washing, inspections, repairs, PTI testing, and power supply—and gate in and gate out operations.
Reefer Runner securing cold chain at HCT
On 15 February 2025, from Kristiansand, Austria-Norway-based Identec Solutions announced its partnership with Haugesund Stevedoring to deliver a fully digital and automated reefer monitoring solution at the Haugesund Cargo Terminal. The initial agreement includes equipment for 100 reefer points. A key element of this project is the integration of Reefer Runner into the terminal's existing Terminal Operating System (T3) from Greenwave. Greenwave is a Norwegian company specializing in web-based software solutions for the logistics sector in Norway.
By adopting Reefer Runner, Haugesund Stevedoring has significantly advanced its operations related to reefer containers. This cutting-edge, automated, real-time monitoring solution highlights the company's dedication to maintaining optimal temperature conditions for perishable cargo, safeguarding the integrity of the cold chain, and boosting operational efficiency. Haugesund Cargo Terminal holds a crucial position in Norway's import and export network, with a strong focus on handling refrigerated goods such as seafood exports and temperature-sensitive imports, including fruit, vegetables, and dairy products. The terminal serves vital markets across Europe, the United Kingdom, and Asia, where the demand for reliable and secure reefer logistics continues to grow. As an essential hub for perishable goods, maintaining stable temperature control is critical to protecting cargo quality and adhering to strict industry standards.
With the implementation of Reefer Runner, Haugesund Stevedoring is now able to ensure continuous monitoring of its reefers, even during nights and weekends when staff are not present. Automating this process enables the system to deliver real-time alerts and immediate responses to any changes in reefer conditions, thereby minimizing the risk of cargo spoilage and improving overall operational efficiency.
"Reliable reefer monitoring has been one of our biggest challenges, especially outside regular working hours. With Reefer Runner, we now have continuous visibility and control over our reefer containers, reducing the risk of temperature deviations and ensuring our customers' cargo remains in perfect condition," explained Besnik Azmani, Operations Manager at Haugesund Stevedoring. "This solution not only enhances our service quality but also strengthens HCT's position as a trusted logistics hub for temperature-sensitive goods."
For Identec Solutions, Haugesund Stevedoring represents their first Reefer Runner customer in Norway. Elisa Rouhiainen, Vice President of Sales Marine & Ports EMEA at Identec Solutions, stated, "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Haugesund Stevedoring as our first customer in Norway. This marks a significant milestone for Identec Solutions as we expand into this maritime market. Norway is a leader in port innovation, and we are proud to contribute with Reefer Runner, a solution that will provide Haugesund Stevedoring with unmatched flexibility and unparalleled workforce efficiency. By streamlining reefer monitoring and automating critical processes, Reefer Runner will enhance operational reliability and productivity at Haugesund Cargo Terminal. We look forward to a strong partnership and to supporting their continued growth with our state-of-the-art technology."
FAQ Nordic Cold Chain and Seafood Industry
Why is Norway considered a global leader in seafood exports?
Norway is renowned worldwide for its high-quality seafood, especially salmon, cod, and mackerel. With its cold, clean waters and sustainable fishing practices, Norway ensures that its seafood meets the strictest international standards. The country exports seafood to over 150 markets, and in 2024, Norway reached a record export value of NOK 175.4 billion (around EUR 14.672 billion). Advanced aquaculture techniques and a strong focus on traceability and quality control further reinforce Norway's reputation as a trusted seafood supplier.
How does the cold chain support the quality of Norwegian seafood exports?
The cold chain is essential to preserving the freshness and safety of Norwegian seafood throughout its journey from sea to consumer. Using temperature-controlled storage, refrigerated transport, and real-time monitoring technologies, Norway's cold chain ensures that seafood products maintain optimal conditions. This reduces the risk of spoilage, extends shelf life, and helps comply with the strict hygiene and quality standards expected by international markets, especially in Europe, Asia, and North America.
What innovations are improving Norway's cold chain logistics?
Norway is embracing innovative solutions to enhance its cold chain infrastructure. Technologies such as automated reefer monitoring systems (like Reefer Runner), integrated terminal operating systems, and smart cold storage facilities are increasingly common at major ports. These advancements provide real-time visibility, automate critical processes, and help respond quickly to temperature deviations. As a result, Norwegian exporters can guarantee greater reliability and efficiency, strengthening the country's competitive edge in the global seafood market.
Takeaway
Norway's booming seafood exports rely on a robust cold chain and continuous reefer monitoring to protect temperature-sensitive cargo like salmon, cod, and dairy. Ports such as Haugesund Cargo Terminal (HCT) play a vital role, with advanced infrastructure and 320 reefer plugs. The adoption of automated systems like Reefer Runner at HCT ensures 24/7 real-time monitoring, immediate alerts, and rapid response to temperature deviations. This technology minimizes spoilage risks, boosts operational efficiency, and secures Norway's reputation for quality seafood worldwide. As the cold chain market grows, smart monitoring remains essential to sustain exports and meet rising global demand.
Delve deeper into one of our core topics: Refrigerated containers
Glossary
The cold chain refers to the process of transporting temperature-sensitive products throughout a supply chain by using thermal and refrigerated packaging methods, combined with careful logistical planning, to preserve the integrity of these shipments. There are various methods available for transporting cold chain products, such as refrigerated trucks and railcars, refrigerated cargo ships, reefers, as well as air cargo solutions. (4)
Sources:
(1) https://en.seafood.no/news-and-media/news-archive/2024-was-the-best-year-ever-for-norwegian-seafood-exports/
(2) https://thefishingdaily.com/latest-news/norway-launches-new-national-seafood-export-initiative/
(3) https://www.grandviewresearch.com/horizon/outlook/cold-chain-market/norway
(4) https://porteconomicsmanagement.org/pemp/contents/part6/port-cold-chains/
