Business | Morrison Acquires SuperFreeze Singapore, Launches APAC Cold Chain Platform Polaris
By Newzvia
Quick Summary
Global infrastructure investment firm Morrison today acquired SuperFreeze Singapore, a cold chain logistics provider, marking the establishment of its new Asia-Pacific (APAC) cold chain platform, Polaris. This strategic move aims to meet the growing demand for highly automated cold-chain capacity across the region, particularly in critical sectors like food and pharmaceuticals.
Morrison Establishes APAC Cold Chain Platform with SuperFreeze Acquisition
Morrison, a global infrastructure investment firm, today announced it has acquired SuperFreeze Singapore, a cold chain logistics provider, to establish its new Asia-Pacific (APAC) cold chain platform named Polaris. This strategic acquisition, publicly reported since , includes SuperFreeze Tuas, a highly automated cold storage facility.
Details of the Acquisition
Global infrastructure investment firm Morrison has acquired Singapore-based cold chain logistics provider SuperFreeze Singapore. This acquisition is aimed at creating Morrison's new APAC cold chain platform, Polaris. The deal specifically includes SuperFreeze Tuas, a fully operational and highly automated cold storage facility located in Tuas, in the west of Singapore. SuperFreeze Singapore provides crucial cold chain solutions for the food and beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. Specific financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Strategic Rationale and Polaris Platform
William Smales, Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Morrison, highlighted the firm's commitment to investing in essential infrastructure that underpins resilient, modern economies. He stated that the investment in SuperFreeze positions Morrison to help close the gap between demand and supply for highly automated cold-chain capacity across the Asia-Pacific region. Smales further noted Morrison's conviction in Singapore and its ambition to lead the evolution of the cold chain logistics sector in the region. Rajiv Khakhar, Executive Director at Morrison, added that cold storage logistics are vital for enabling regional APAC trade, ensuring stable food and pharmaceutical supply in import-dependent economies. Troy Shortell, CEO of the Polaris platform, emphasized that the acquisition represents a natural progression in their growth journey, strengthening their mission to transform critical cold supply chain infrastructure.
Market and Expert Reaction
Leading international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advised Morrison on the acquisition. Malika Chandrasegaran, corporate partner and Head of M&A, Asia, at the firm, noted that the transaction highlights the increasing role of private capital in developing next-generation logistics assets that are critical to food security, pharmaceutical supply, and broader supply chain resilience in the region.
Outlook and Next Steps
The launch of Polaris aims to scale cold chain infrastructure across the APAC region, with plans to expand into Australia, New Zealand, and other Asian markets. The platform intends to focus on advanced cold logistics facilities that leverage high-efficiency refrigeration and distributed energy systems to further reduce carbon impact.
Context and Background
Morrison is a global infrastructure investment firm with over US$30 billion in assets under management, founded in New Zealand in 1988. The firm maintains offices in key global cities, including Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, Wellington, Auckland, London, and New York. Morrison specializes in long-term investments in essential services and infrastructure, seeking to address enduring societal needs. Singapore's heavy reliance on imported food and its significant role as a transshipment hub consistently drives robust demand for energy-efficient cold storage. This demand often outpaces supply, exacerbated by structural constraints in industrial land allocation leading to a persistent shortage of modern, high-specification facilities. SuperFreeze Singapore, established in 2014, provides sustainable cold chain solutions, leveraging technologies such as patented decarbonization and LNG power to offer efficient and environmentally friendly services to the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Key Takeaways
- Global infrastructure firm Morrison has acquired SuperFreeze Singapore, a cold chain logistics provider.
- This acquisition establishes Morrison's new Asia-Pacific (APAC) cold chain platform, Polaris.
- The deal includes the highly automated SuperFreeze Tuas cold storage facility in Singapore.
- Morrison aims to address the growing demand for automated cold-chain capacity in the region, particularly for food and pharmaceutical sectors.
- The acquisition’s financial details were not disclosed.
People Also Ask
- Who is Morrison?
Morrison is a global infrastructure investment firm founded in New Zealand in 1988, managing over US$30 billion in assets, and focusing on long-term investments in essential services and infrastructure worldwide. - What is SuperFreeze Singapore?
SuperFreeze Singapore is a cold chain logistics provider based in Singapore, established in 2014, specializing in sustainable cold storage and cold chain solutions for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors. - What is Polaris?
Polaris is the new Asia-Pacific cold chain platform launched by Morrison following its acquisition of SuperFreeze Singapore, designed to expand Morrison's presence and investments in temperature-controlled logistics across the APAC region. - Why is cold chain logistics important in Singapore?
Cold chain logistics are crucial in Singapore due to the nation's heavy reliance on imported food and its role as a major transshipment hub, which drives significant demand for refrigerated storage to ensure stable food and pharmaceutical supplies.
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