More (potted) plants in sea containers

- Technical innovations for added value

H.A.M Boerrigter

Contact: henry.boerrigter@wur.nl

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

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10

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30

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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

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1

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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"

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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

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60

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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

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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?