The undoubted advantages of containerization have led to its true flourishing today. The growth dynamics of container transport are impressive. In 2006 alone, 139.3 million TEU were transported, 174% more than in 1996.
The development of containerization has contributed on one hand to reducing many cargo damages, but on the other, it has become a source of previously unknown risks.
Out of more than 21 million TEU available worldwide, as many as 19 million are used in maritime transport. Potentially, each of these containers can be used for purposes other than intended. Recently, increasing attention has been paid to security issues in supply chains and the possibility of using containers in terrorist attacks and for smuggling, for example, weapons of mass destruction. Containers and the ships carrying them can become not so much the target of an attack as a means to carry it out. Insurers also see an increase in insurance risk in the dynamic development of containerization and the associated concentration of cargo mass at terminals and on ships.
Refrigerated cargo market
In 2005, global exports of goods requiring low temperatures amounted to approximately 270 million tons, of which about 180 million tons were fruits and vegetables, and about 90 million tons were meat, fish, and dairy products. Approximately 80 million tons were transported by sea via reefer ships and refrigerated containers. It is projected that the volume of refrigerated cargo transport in containers will reach as much as 102 million tons in 2012. This is a consequence of the upward trend in the transport of this group of goods and the shift away from conventional reefer ships in favor of refrigerated containers. The total capacity of the latter (over 1.371 million TEU in 2006) is already more than double the capacity offered by classic reefer ships. The largest shipowners operating in the regular refrigerated container transport market include Maersk Line (about 21%) and P&O Nedlloyd (about 12%).
Refrigerated cargo – fruits and vegetables
Flows of fruits and vegetables from plantations to the final consumer create so-called cold chains (or cool chains), which are a challenge for modern logistics. Refrigerated cargo, especially fruits and vegetables, is a group particularly demanding in maritime transport and susceptible to damage. Due to high water content and high biological activity, it is essential to maintain appropriate climatic conditions in the container during transport, which is achieved both by simple methods (maintaining a set temperature, humidity, ventilation) and more complex ones (for example, the use of modified or controlled atmosphere). The goal of these actions is to slow down biochemical processes and limit the activity of microorganisms. Fruits and vegetables must be transported within strictly defined temperature limits, which in some cases are close to the chilling or freezing point. For example, peaches and nectarines should be transported at a temperature of -0.5 to 0°C, while the freezing point is already -0.9°C. Kiwifruit is similarly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Additionally, these fruits are susceptible to the effects of ethylene. Its concentration, exceeding 0.1 ppm, can initiate the ripening process of kiwifruit even at 0°C. Extremely useful in such situations are modern transport technologies, for example, using controlled atmosphere (CA), ensuring appropriate conditions in the transport of sensitive goods not only by maintaining the correct temperature but also by changing the percentage composition of the atmosphere inside the container (mainly reducing oxygen content to an average of 2-3% and increasing carbon dioxide concentration to an average of 5-15%) and maintaining it throughout the entire transport time.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 6/2007.