Chill technology boosts supply chain efficiency

“This innovation should deliver an improved cold chain for our high value chilled products, whilst also significantly reducing energy usage during shipping,” says Alliance Group development services manager Gary Maclennan.

“This will have a positive impact on the CO₂ footprint of Alliance products into our many markets around the world.”

Dubbed QUEST II, the technology is a follow on from Maersk’s Quality and Energy Efficiency in Storage and Transport (QUEST) system introduced in 2007. It’s the result of a three-year research programme by Wageningen University and Research Centre in the Netherlands, with input from Maersk and Carrier Transicold.

Maersk New Zealand trade and marketing manager Dave Gulik says refrigerated containers, or reefers, using the technology require considerably less energy to maintain cargo at a constant temperature.

“Traditional refrigeration systems focus on the air temperature inside the container – whereas what really matters is the temperature of the cargo,” says Gulik.

“The new software... constantly adjusts air flow and temperature control to ensure [cargo temperature] is maintained at optimum levels.

“That means no waste energy, fewer CO₂ emissions, and better conditions for the cargo.”

Gulik adds that while container shipping is already by far the most environmentally efficient way to transport goods over long distances, this innovation will cut CO₂  emissions per container 65% and is a game changer for the entire transport chain.

“It’s a boon for the lines, but truck and train companies and terminal operators will also see their power bills and CO₂ emissions go down.”

Maclennan says the technology fits well with Alliance’s aim to reduce environmental impact from “farm to fork”.