conjunction with refrigeration. There are additional requirements for such shipments, as follows:


Levels (ranges) for O2 , CO2 , humidity, ethylene


For each of the atmospheric gases to be controlled, upper and lower concentration limits should be specified.


Permitted time to reach specified levels The maximum time allowed to reach the specified levels may be laid down.


Procedure in event of CA system failure The failure of a CA system will not necessarily have a drastic effect on the produce if the refrigeration continues to run. In these circumstances it will be necessary to introduce fresh air ventilation to fruit and vegetable cargoes. This should be specified.


Safety requirements


CA produces an atmosphere which is deadly to humans – breathing an oxygen-depleted atmosphere produces immediate unconsciousness and fairly rapid death. Adequate safety systems must be in place, and these may need to allow for the possibility of stowaways in the cargo.


Discharge atmosphere requirements The safety requirements extend to those unloading cargoes. Proper ventilation prior to entering containers and training of workers are both necessary.


Containerised transport of perishables without refrigeration


Some perishable commodities are carried without refrigeration, possibly for short-duration journeys, or in ventilated equipment. In these cases it is wise to consider which of the above requirements may still apply.


Products with limited temperature sensitivity may be carried under refrigeration for certain journeys only. The following guidelines suggest when this may be appropriate.


● For any goods requiring close temperature control, refrigeration is essential. If temperatures need to be maintained within a band of 2 deg C or less, refrigeration should be virtually continuous.


● At the other extreme, for less sensitive goods with a maximum temperature tolerance of 30 deg C or above, refrigeration is only necessary for storage on land at high ambient temperatures. For containerised shipments at sea, a protected stow may be requested.


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A wide variety of agricultural products are carried in non-refrigerated containers, either ventilated or standard dry boxes. These include cocoa, coffee, tea, tobacco, dried fruit, rice, nuts, oilseeds, pulses and spices. Fresh fruit and vegetables are more commonly carried in refrigerated containers, although produce such as melons, oranges, potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams and onions are sometimes carried in ventilated or open containers.


Careful consideration should always be given to ensure that the choice of container, packaging and dunnage is appropriate for both cargo and voyage. Two frequent causes of major cargo damage are condensation and taint.


Carriage of agricultural products in non-refrigerated containers


● If the maximum permitted temperature is 25 deg C or lower, refrigeration should be used for any journeys through the tropics and for any journeys anywhere in summer.


● If cargo requirements are marginal, either in terms of temperature tolerance or in terms of possible delays at high ambient temperatures, then the only safe option is to use refrigeration.


Frozen foods may sometimes be carried without refrigeration for short journeys as long as the cargo does not rise above the specified maximum temperature. This should only be done with the consent of the consignee.


Disclaimer: These recommendations are given in good faith after due consideration, but neither CRT nor ICCT or any of its members nor any of the endorsing organisations or individuals accept any liability for the


consequences of their use.


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