[EN-SEA] Maersk : Reefer Reach Tested Shipping Bananas From Philippines To Rotterdam

MAERSK LINE's new reefer technology passed the test of keeping bananas fresh on a 34-day voyage from the Philippines to Rotterdam, the company has revealed.
"Imported bananas are nothing out of the ordinary in Europe, but arriving from a destination as far as the Philippines is extraordinary," Maersk declared after the test voyage.

Maersk said the system that can also be used to transport avocados using controlled atmosphere technology in its "StarCare" reefer equipment that it claims keeps bananas fresh for up to 50 days.

The reefer boxes are equipped with a passive controlled atmosphere system "in which the fruit itself creates the desired environment", reported American Shipper.

Through natural respiration from the fruit, oxygen levels are reduced and carbon dioxide increases, contributing to lower respiration by the fruit and suppressing the release of ethylene, which causes fruit to ripen and mould, the report said.

Optimal gas levels are controlled in the container through the use of sensors, gas permeable membranes, and fresh air intake. If carbon dioxide levels exceed their optimal threshold, the membrane will be activated and start to permeate carbon dioxide away from the cargo space.

If oxygen levels drop below the set point, the fresh air intake will automatically open up, to let in ambient air.

"Maersk Line can now offer access to almost any market place globally through the use of StarCare, in affordable shipment sizes down to 20 pallets," said Kim Aksel Kristensen, director at Maersk's reefer department.

Maersk said the new containers are designed for shippers to move small volumes, "Exporters in Ecuador can now ship to the Middle East, Japan, China, Russia and the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and New Zealand. Costa Rican exporters now have access to valuable markets in Russia and the east coast of South America.

And banana producers in the Philippines are now able to export their produce to the Middle East, while African exporters can now ship to the Mediterranean Sea and to Northern Europe."

Source : HKSG, 29.05.10.