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Issue 1 2012


Loads better thanks to new scanners


DSV Road Limited has completed implementation of new load scanning equipment at its Purfleet hub, to ensure all trailers are loaded to maximum capacity. The prototype scanning and weighing equipment, which DSV designed together with logistics equipment manufacturer Qubiqa, measures the exact dimensions and weight of all shipments, ensuring DSV can more accurately plan every trailer load. DSV uses specially-designed


overhead scanning equipment to calculate the dimensions of loads while consignment weight data is generated by forklifts. The equipment also scans shipment barcodes and automatically uploads the product data into DSV’s Transport Management System, which keeps track of inventory operations inside the Purfleet facility. The operator says that general


research shows that around 8% of weights and 15% of volumes are


inaccurately declared, often


unintentionally, by consignors. DSV Road’s director for Europe, said: “By ensuring


Denise Clarke,


trailers are loaded to maximum capacity, we have been able to reduce the number of journeys our trucks need to make – reducing fuel consumption and improving environmental performance. The precision data also helps speed up the process as it is used to accurately pre- plan trailer loading.” Shipments


are also no longer Easier ice removal


Krone is offering a new system to remove snow or ice from trailer roofs and curtains.


Ice Protect


operates through a a control panel fitted to the front wall of the vehicle - at the touch of a button, the curtain roof is liſted 20cm by an air hose, so that water and snow drop to the sides. Removal of ice and snow, although a legal requirement is oſten a dangerous affair and oſten difficult to manage in practice. Only a few motorway stations provide tools to help drivers remove it. The Krone Ice Protect system is available for all curtainsiders and can be upgraded. The manufacturer adds that some insurers offer reduced premiums for trailers equipped with the device


Experts get to grips with exploding boxes


The Container Owners Association (COA) and the TT Club held an industry forum on the exploding reefer issue in London on 19 December. It followed a number of incidents during 2011


caused


by contaminated refrigerant being introduced into cooling systems during maintenance and repair. While only a very small number of incidents actually occurred, thousands of reefers had to be ‘quarantined’ while they were checked. While the precise chemical


reactions causing the explosion risk remain uncertain, it is clear that counterfeit gases have entered the disposable gas bottle supply chain, the forum was told. These gases mimic the thermodynamic properties of R134a (the most usual refrigerant in the container industry), using chlorine based gas but the contaminates, which have been found to be as much as 50% of the volume, react with the aluminium parts of the reefer machinery, as well as lubricants.


The reefer container industry


is now working towards a standardised test procedure to ensure that gas bottles in use at repair and service facilities and on board ships are safely tested. One option is to use a simple and established halide flame test, with appropriate precautions to ensure that the minimum of gas is released and toxic fumes are removed. Further work is also being carried out to ensure that


potentially contaminated


reefer containers can be tested effectively and safely. No single test methodology


has been


proven as yet, in part because none of the container units subject to trials have been found to be contaminated – although the tests have been useful in returning quarantined units to use. Once this has been resolved, it is anticipated that testing will become a standard part of the pre- trip inspection routine.


///EQUIPMENT CORNER Torque cleans up


held up because because shippers without access to accurate measuring equipment have provided incorrect information. The weight and dimension data


generated by the equipment can also be fed back clients to help them improve their internal procedures. The aim is to scan 100% of all


consignments that transit the Purfleet warehouse and DSV hopes to gradually roll out the scanning equipment across all branches.


Torque is offering ozone cleaning as a pre-retail service to its garment customers. Clothes sourced from around the globe can become vulnerable to undesirable odours and contaminants, especially during the rainy seasons, says the logistics specialist. Ozone treatment is however 100% effective in preventing garments having to be written off by odours, moulds, fungus, bacteria, viruses, allergens and other volatile organic


compounds and more customers are demanding it. The treatment is in effect a dry-cleaning process, which helps avoid shrinkage, wear or colour fastness problems. No artificial chemicals are used in the process, so no residues remain. Torque’s head of warehousing


and distribution, David Scott, says that aſter a slow start, the industry has embraced the idea “and we are now seeing a real surge in the demand for the treatment.”


Low temperature wash for food crates


Kuehne + Nagel has piloted a new solution in the UK to improve bio-security and environmental efficiency for food products. The logistics operator has a number of logistics facilities across the UK which process and clean returnable crates used for food distribution, on behalf of grocery retailers. The current process involves washing crates at high temperatures in order to kill


bacteria and protect food safety standards. However, KN has now entered


into exclusive partnership to use Modal Solutions Reactive Residual Protection technology which offers improved sanitation at lower temperatures. Retail division sector director Martin Delamare said KN was the first organisation ever to pilot the technology in the food supply chain.


Ikea dumps wood for cardboard


Flatpack king Ikea said in early January that it would be ditching wooden shipping pallets in favour of cardboard ones. The furniture retailer says it has designed a way to fold corrugated cardboard into a structure that is far thinner than a traditional wooden pallet, yet can still support loads of up to 1,650 lbs. As well as being one third the height of wooden


trays at 5cm and 90% lighter at 2.5kg, Ikea reckons that they will cut


its transport bills by €140


million a year, though this will be partially offset by €90 need for purchasing the new pallets and forkliſts. Unlike wooden pallets, the


cardboard units are not intended for reuse but will instead be recycled.


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