Transcript Beheersing van Botrytis-effecten bij snijbloemendistributie

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
km per kWh/ton cargo
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Boeing
Truck
Train
Ctr.
Vessel
A large container vessel carries a fully
loaded container 35 km using 1 litre
fuel
*Data from Network for Transport and Environment
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


Oxygen/Carbon dioxide


Moisture, water
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
Zamioculcas 1 = bad 6 = good
6
5
13C
4
15C
3
17C
2
15Ctr
1
Control
0
DU

WU
F
Control 20ºC
13°C is too low temp./ F=disinfection
“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 injury
1
2
3
7
14
21d
Codiaeum
30°C
25
20
15
10
5 °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





Application of CA


Everfresh, Transfresh, AFAM etc.
Added value: limited, unclear
Flowering plants may benefit most
High CO2 often phyto-toxic
Extra costs: 1500 US$/shipment
Alternative is MA-packaging


high humidity
decay
Positive effect after CA-transport!
Begonia "Netja"
flowering (score)
350
300
transport
recoveryperiod
250
200
Standaard
150
MA / CA
100
50
0
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
time (days)
15
20
25
30
“CA/MA” developments in ocean freight

Potted plant reactions poorly understood



Hurdle technology approach = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 -> 5


Need further research to determine added value
Many variables need to be tested in combination
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

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
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
A
B
C
D
Future (LED) light in ocean freight

R&D will intensify because of improved LED’s


No integration in ctr.: not relevant for one commodity


No solution yet for power supply, return logistics, etc.
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
100

Al2O3 impregnated with KMnO4
Needs a flow-through system
90
RH (%)

80
20 kg
40 kg
none
70
60
50
0
100
200
300
vent. eq. (m3/h)


Putting sachets in boxes: no effect on ethylene conc.
Ethylene filters: not a smart option/solution, only in CA!
400
1-mcp gas treatment in transport of hibiscus
number of fallen buds (per plant)
bud drop Hibiscus
during 6 days dark transport
during following 1 week
total
14
12
10
8
6
no bud drop
4
2
0
untreated
treated
“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


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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


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T&T and safeguarding wireless systems will be implemented

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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
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?