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Shipping news

Containers tested

Government scientists in Auckland are working on two new types of shipping container. They are applying land-based techniques of crop storage and transport to sea freighting. The scientists, on a joint Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and Shipping Corporation of New Zealand project, are testing "forced ventilation” and "modified atmosphere" containers. These storage methods have been used successfully on land in the past with crops such as onions, kiwifruit, and apples. The "forced ventiliation" container is one which has an electric fan which sucks in air from the outside, passes it over the produce, then pushes it through vents in the side. This method enables up to 30 complete air changes an hour. Onions and potatoes sent to Pacific destinations in these containers have arrived in excellent condition. At the moment trials are being done with crops sent to Europe and Japan.

It is hoped that forced ventilation containers, which should cost less than refrigerated containers. will be in use next year. "Modified atmosphere"’ containers have been used successfully on land but scientists say they may not be as good on sea voyages. The system, used successfully in Europe, involves controlling the gases, temperature, ano humidity in the container. Even though "modified atmosphere" containers are reliable on short voyages, some doubts .have been expressed about their suitability on the long trip from New Zealand to Europe. ARRIVALS Saturday Botany Tracer (6.27 a.m.) 28M. Wellington (Scales). ' Union Lyttelton (6.51 a.m.) 4376, Wellington (U.M.S.). Aegean Reefer (11.54 a.m.) 6482, Auckland (Scales). Kotuku (5.26 p.m.) 16221, Bluff (U.M.S.). Sunday Spirit of Adventure (5.30 p.m.) sea. Departures Saturday Nedlloyd Frazer (11.26 a.m.). Botany Trader (5 p.m.) 2804, Dunedin (Scales). Union Lyttelton (5.43 p.m.) 4376, Wellington (U.M.S.). Sunday Kotuku (7.25 a.m.) 16.221. New Plymouth (U.M.S.). H.M.N.Z.S. Tui (11.30 a.m.) 1050. Auckland. EXPECTED ARRIVALS Coastal Trader, Auck., today (8 a.m.). Southland Star, Wgtn. today (6.30 am). Nedlloyd Adelaide. Singapore, today. Union ' Lyttelton. Dndn. tomorrow. Ervilia, sea. tomorrow. Coastal Trader. Dndn, March 31. Heroj Paic, Dndn. March 31. Marama, Dndn. April 3. Cawa. Nap., April 4. Coastal Trader. April 5. PROJECTED DEPARTURES Coastal Trader, Dndn, today (6 p.m.). Southland Star. Auck. today (7 p.m.). Union Lyttelton, Wgtn. tomorrow. Coastal Trader. Auck. March 31. Nedlloyd Adelaide. Wgtn. March 31. Heroj Paic. sea, April 1. Aegean Reefer, sea. April 1. VESSELS IN PORT Coastal Trader, Gladstone Pier. Holmdale. No. 3 East. Aegean Reefer. No. 7 East. Southland Star, Cashin Quav No. 3.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19820329.2.112.12

Bibliographic details

Press, 29 March 1982, Page 23

Word Count
408

Shipping news Press, 29 March 1982, Page 23

Shipping news Press, 29 March 1982, Page 23