First-of-its-kind recognition: Maersk’s Ruakura Cold Store is the first cold storage facility in New Zealand to achieve a 6 Star Green Star NZ Design & As-Built rating.
Major sustainability integration: The 18,000m² site incorporates cutting-edge emissions reduction and energy efficiency technologies, including CO₂ refrigeration and a 1.52MW solar array.
Industry leadership: The facility sets a new sustainability benchmark for New Zealand’s industrial logistics sector, combining infrastructure investment with operational innovation.
Maersk’s Ruakura Cold Store has become the first cold storage facility in New Zealand to earn a 6 Star Green Star NZ Design & As-Built rating, the highest recognition for environmental performance in commercial construction, as certified by the New Zealand Green Building Council.
Located within the Ruakura Superhub and officially opened in February 2024, the 18,000m² cold chain facility represents A.P. Moller – Maersk’s largest infrastructure investment in New Zealand to date. It serves as a strategic logistics hub along the Auckland-Tauranga corridor, enabling seamless transitions across rail, road, and ocean freight.
“This achievement underscores our dedication to decarbonisation and innovation across both industrial development and supply chain logistics,” said Kylie Fraser, Managing Director of Maersk Oceania. “Cold chain logistics play a vital role in global food supply chains and represent a significant opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We’re proud to support our customers in lowering the emissions footprint from production to plate.”
The facility, delivered by Apollo Projects, features a suite of sustainability technologies:
A transcritical CO₂ refrigeration system that captures and reuses waste heat
Condensate recovery for cooling tower misters
Rainwater harvesting to reduce potable water usage
Lithium battery-powered forklifts for cleaner energy operations
A 1.52MW rooftop solar array generating renewable energy for onsite use
“This milestone reflects what’s possible when innovation, decarbonisation, and operational excellence are embedded from the outset,” said Paul Lloyd, Executive Director of Apollo Projects. “We are proud to collaborate with Maersk in delivering design and build projects that support the future of decarbonisation in logistics.”
The Green Star rating system is globally recognised for evaluating the sustainability of buildings based on energy, water, emissions, and innovation metrics. A 6 Star rating signifies “World Leadership” in environmentally responsible construction and operations.
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“This facility is a clear example of how high-performance, lower greenhouse gas industrial buildings can and should be delivered in New Zealand,” added Andrew Eagles, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Green Building Council. “It sets a strong precedent for the sector.”
With this achievement, Maersk has not only elevated infrastructure standards but also positioned itself as a frontrunner in building a sustainable supply chain from production to plate.
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