Cold Storage

Project Details

The Maersk Cold Store at Ruakura Inland Port is New Zealand’s first cold storage facility to achieve a 6 Green Star rating, the highest standard in sustainable commercial construction.

Apollo began design in early 2022, broke ground in August, and delivered the 18,000m² facility on a 45,000m² site by February 2024.

The project seamlessly integrates innovation, sustainability, and functionality. Standout features include a Transcritical CO₂ refrigeration system, condensate recovery for water reuse, extensive rainwater harvesting, and lithium-powered reach and forklifts for enhanced efficiency. A solar array generating over 1.52MW of renewable energy further supports the facility’s sustainability goals.

A fully integrated Building Management System (BMS) provides complete control over services and refrigeration. The CO₂ system, one of the largest globally, uses waste heat to warm the office and underfloor glycol system. Apollo’s layout design also saved over 88km of reticulation piping, delivering significant cost and efficiency benefits.

A project of this scale does not come without its challenges, most of which were caused by ongoing supply chain issues and inflation following COVID, alongside several heavy rainfalls during construction. Despite this, Apollo worked closely with the client and project team to maintain timelines and budget.

This project sets a new benchmark for cold storage in New Zealand, showcasing Apollo’s resilience, innovation, and commitment to sustainable design and delivery.