Maine Refrigeration Trailer Rentals

What drives cold-storage demand in Maine

Weather and hazards

• Winter storm (October to April): Nor'easters cause more disruption in Maine than any other extreme weather, and their winds can match or exceed those of hurricanes that have reached the state. Prolonged storm outages can leave restaurants, grocers and processors needing emergency cold storage or a temporary kitchen. Source
• Ice storm (December to March): The January 1998 ice storm left 1 to 3 inches of ice, snapped more than 3,000 utility poles and cut power to over 800,000 people. A multi-day ice-storm outage can often spoil refrigerated inventory and halt commercial kitchens. Source
• Flood (Spring thaw and winter rain-on-snow events): In December 2023, 3 to 4 inches of rain (6 to 8 in pockets) fell on snowpack and caused catastrophic river flooding in Maine. Flooded or power-less kitchens and cold rooms can create a need for temporary refrigerated trailers and warewashing while repairs are made. Source
• Drought (Summer to early fall): Maine had notable droughts in 2002, 2016 and 2020 to 2022, and the 2020 drought contributed to more than 900 wildfires, the most in a decade. Dry-season fires and water shortages can disrupt farms and food operations that rely on cold storage. Source
• Other (Year-round, rising): Sea level has risen about 4 inches since 1970 and high-tide flooding is becoming more frequent along the coast, where much of the seafood industry operates. Coastal flooding can often interrupt working waterfronts, wharves and seafood handling that depend on refrigeration. Source

Power outages

• The December 2023 wind and rain storm knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of Maine customers, with restoration stretching for days and a second storm adding more outages. Multi-day outages of this size can often put commercial refrigeration at risk well beyond a typical four-hour safe window. Source
• The January 1998 ice storm cut power to more than 800,000 people and snapped over 3,000 utility poles. It shows how a single weather event can take down grid infrastructure and leave food operations without power for an extended time. Source
• Nor'easters are described as the most disruptive extreme weather in Maine, with winds that can rival hurricane gusts and can bring down lines across wide areas. Winter storms can often interrupt power to restaurants, supermarkets and warehouses at once, increasing demand for backup refrigeration. Source

Food and hospitality

• Maine's commercial fisheries were worth about $611 million at the dock in 2023, led by lobster at roughly 93.7 million pounds landed (preliminary DMR figures). Seafood dealers and processors depend on cold chain storage between the wharf and the truck. Source
• Maine harvested about 87.6 million pounds of wild blueberries in 2023 from 46,370 managed acres on 512 farms, according to USDA data cited in an academic article. Harvest-season fruit needs rapid chilling and freezer capacity before processing and shipping. Source
• Farming in Fort Fairfield, in Aroostook County, centers on potatoes and broccoli, which the town's Wikipedia entry calls important to the local economy. Potato and vegetable storage and shipping operations can use extra temperature-controlled space around harvest. Source
• Bar Harbor logged 154 cruise ship visits and over 222,000 passengers in 2018, and its population rises sharply from May through October with visitors and seasonal residents. Peak tourist season can strain restaurant kitchens, which may use temporary kitchen or dishwashing capacity for surges. Source
• Hannaford supermarkets are headquartered in Scarborough, and the town sits on the I-95 and I-295 corridor in the Portland area. Grocery distribution depends on reliable refrigerated storage and transport. Source