In November 2020, Maersk resumed the sea transport tests for roses in reefer containers StarCare, Controlled Atmosphere technology.
Alex Bustos (Green Control FQM), Carlos Vergara (Reefer Specialist - Maersk), Johan Bacigalupo (Comercial Manager - Maersk) and Fohodil Galeas (Delivery and Depots - Maersk)
After 25 days of transit time, with parameters of temperature, humidity, CO2 and O2 controlled every hour during the test, the results are encouraging.
Preliminary conclusions show that cut roses, harvested in mid-November 2020, “transported“ 25 days (it was in-situ trial), then placed in a vase with floral food, last between 10 and 15 days.
The last flowers in this trial were in a vase until January 5, 2021.
What are the next steps?
- Determine the optimal settings for temperature, CO2 and O2 for roses produced in the Ecuadorian Andes.
- Determine the pretreatments need to be performed in the farms, to control ethylene and fungal diseases in the postharvest operation and prepare them for maritime transport, as well as doses and treatment period with hydrogen phosphide. This is in collaboration with Green Control FQM, representative of the Chilean company Fosfoquim.
- Develop a cargo consolidation system in maritime containers as well as air transport.
For more information:
Maersk
www.maersk.com