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More (potted) plants in sea containers
- Technical innovations for added value
H.A.M Boerrigter
Contact: [email protected]
Content
Reefer containers: a sustainable transport method Quest regular control mode
State of the art of climate control in containers Factors influencing quality of potted plants Expected developments (near) future
• Balance between new technology and logistics
Conclusion
New returnable cargo carrier for starting material and plants
Ocean transport is a sustainable method
Fuel consumption and CO2 emission*
Ctr. Vessel** Train (Electric)
Train (Diesel)
Truck Boeing 747
Energy(kWh/tkm)
0.023 0.043 0.067 0.18 2
CO2-emission(g/tkm)
10.5 44.1 17 50 552
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Boeing Truck Train Ctr.Vessel
km per kWh/ ton cargo
*Data from Network for Transport and Environment
A large container vessel carries a fully loaded container 35 km using 1 litre fuel
AFSG – Carrier – Maersk: Quest power savings 50% reduction of energy
consumption in reefer transport, - while maintaining produce quality
Full 40’ container test (on-land, 50 Hz) with bell pepper: - power usage: 4.8 -> 1.2 kW- 75% energy saving
QUEST helps fight global warming
QUEST reduces CO2 emissions for cooling by 50%
After complete implementation by the end of 2008 the Maersk
Line fleet will save 325,000 ton CO2 per year!
An enormous amount of savings! Compare to:
- 0.2 ton CO2 savings for the life span of a saving lamp
- 2 billion car km’s emission equivalent
Potted plant quality related transport conditions Time Temperature Relative humidity
Moisture, water Oxygen/Carbon dioxide
CA and MA-packaging Dark/Light
Adaptation and LED’s applied during transport Ethylene
T&T; real time monitoring
Transport time
Organize logistics properly Inland trucking to port Select best corridor
• minimal transport time• multimodal solution: truck-train-barges
Avoid transshipments: Panama! Service level of shippers varies
• Depends on local offices, facilities and competition
Be aware of procedures and legislation USA: Homeland Security EU/Nl.: PD (phytosanitairy insp.) ISPM 15: wooden packaging and pallets
“Time” developments in ocean freight
(Near) future outlook
Fresh volumes increase due to increased global sourcing
Need for Reefers increases: availability may be a problem
CL services and existing lines are not (only) determined by “Perishables” and may change
CL improve services steadily• chilled cargo pays off• learning by doing
Temperature
In Reefer containers excellent T-control Packaging density may cause problems
• Allow air circulation along and through packaging/ load carrier (stacks)
• Open stacks/packs: T=OK -> high air circulation may cause dehydration
High initial temperature: pre-cool before loading!
Temperature
Optimal T-settings specific for different species Current practice: 15°C (mixed load) Relative high temperature -> microbiological
decay
13°C is too low temp./ F=disinfection
Zamioculcas 1 = bad 6 = good
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
DU WU F Control 20ºC
13C
15C
17C
15Ctr
Control
“Temperature” development in ocean freight (Near) future outlook
Better knowledge of optimal temperatures per variety
Use of AFSG energy saving T-control system: Quest Fixed temperature set points -> temperature
programs• Adaptation to colder transport without chilling injuryCodiaeum 1 2 3 7 14
21d30°C252015105 °C
Transport temperature
Relative humidity
RH is result of: Transpiration of plants and (watered) soil in pot
• Control via packaging (sleeving), liners, stacking, anti transpirent/coating
RH-control in Reefer container is difficult RH control “on” means dry conditions <75% (or wet
>95%) Sensor not robust: calibration necessary before every
trip RH control “off”: currently best practice: RH=85-95%
“RH/moisture control” developments
Not accurate with current technology CL will not invest in better RH control via
cool unit Limited dehydration capacity
RH sensitive plants need: Adequate packaging Optimal watered pots Other smart solutions
Controlled Atmosphere and MA-packaging CA technology in Reefer containers available-> low
O2/high CO2
Everfresh, Transfresh, AFAM etc. Added value: limited, unclear Flowering plants may benefit most High CO2 often phyto-toxic
Application of CA Extra costs: 1500 US$/shipment
Alternative is MA-packaging high humidity decay
Positive effect after CA-transport!Begonia "Netja"
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
-15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
time (days)
flo
wer
ing
(sc
ore
)
Standaard
MA / CA
transport recoveryperiod
“CA/MA” developments in ocean freight
Potted plant reactions poorly understood Need further research to determine added value Many variables need to be tested in combination
Hurdle technology approach = 1 + 1 + 1 = 33 -> 5 CA + RH-control + Smartfresh + ?? = super quality
CA transport cheaper: more robust technology ULO in transport not feasible because of leaks
Dark/Light
Light = best method for plant quality maintenance Adapt plants to low light before long term dark transport Lowering light/RH = Time, facilities, organisation
LED’s in transport Feasibility study AFSG Relative high amount of PAR-light necessary High density packaging: limited leaf area for direct PAR
• Innovative constructions/ideas necessary: power supply, reflectors etc.
Simulated transport
C
A
D
B
Future (LED) light in ocean freight R&D will intensify because of improved LED’s
No solution yet for power supply, return logistics, etc.
No integration in ctr.: not relevant for one commodity Light integration only viable in cargo carrier
Packing density restricts light application in containers
Ethylene
Pot plants in dark: dark stress -> ethylene Leaf yellowing, leaf and bud abscission Easy removal through adequate ventilation Ethylene scrubbers: limited value, costly
Protect plants inside! by blocking ethylene receptors
• STS spraying• Smartfresh (1-mcp) gas treatment
• CO2: might be fytotoxic
Extend, Exten-o-life, Purafil, Bio-conservacion, Ethysorb Effect of RH on ethylene scrubber
50
60
70
80
90
100
0 100 200 300 400
vent. eq. (m3/h)
RH
(%
) 20 kg
40 kg
none
Al2O3 impregnated with KMnO4
Needs a flow-through system
Putting sachets in boxes: no effect on ethylene conc. Ethylene filters: not a smart option/solution, only in
CA!
1-mcp gas treatment in transport of hibiscus
bud drop Hibiscus
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
untreated treatednu
mb
er
of
falle
n b
ud
s (
pe
r p
lan
t)
during 6 days dark transport during following 1 week total
no bud drop
“Ethylene” developments in ocean freight STS: subject of environmental discussion Scrubbers/ adsorbents: only in CA
Slow release system for continuous 1-mcp treatment necessary and coming up
Hurdle technology best solution Example: CA + RH + 1-mcp + ??
Tracking and tracing
State of the art Via websites of CL’s: when is my container
where
General Food Law and abuses (drugs) Safeguarding the supply chain Make containers tamperproof
• Mechanical seals• Electronic seals
Tracing and tracking: TREC (IBM) Control of door opening, location, settings, cargo
temperature, ethylene
Tracing and tracking developments in ocean freight Systems and prototypes available
Not priced yet Legal limitations: Rome treaty, Bill of lading,
claims
Low cost sensor developments ongoing Allowing treatments/actions in transit
• Temperature change• Gas treatment: ripening on board
Conclusion (near) future: ctr. technolgy
Innovations integrated in Reefer ctr’s technology only viable for big volumes or relevant for most “perishables” potted plants in global fresh trade is a relative small volume no specific potted plant technology in containers
T&T and safeguarding wireless systems will be implemented Still legal and price thresholds Need for robust low cost climate/gas sensors: ethylene!
Hurdle technology approach best method to ensure quality in ocean freight distribution of potted plants More specific product research necessary
Thank you for your attention
Any questions?