New software product keeps fruit pristine and the planet green

COMMITMENT TO a greener planet Earth for the
generations to come is one of the challenges of the
21st century – and Safmarine is acutely conscious of
the role it has to play in making this a reality.
It may not have the ability to prevent rising
ocean levels or melting ice caps but it can certainly
make a difference in what it knows best –
liner shipping.
Improving the efficacy of reefer containers has
long been a focal point of research – with those
engaged in this endeavour including Dr Malcolm
Dodd of South Africa’s Perishable Products Export
Control Board (PPECB). But Safmarine has
been applying its own mind to ‘cleaner’, more
efficient technology.
Introduced earlier this year and applicable
to all reefer services in the AP Moller-
Maersk Group (Safmarine and
Maersk Line) is QUEST, a
new enhanced software
application.
Ian Fairlie, Safmarine’s
reefer trade manager for
sub-Saharan Africa, says
that QUEST enables a reefer
container to run at a variable temperature range,
whereas the previous system operated on a fixed,
set-point range.
He explains some reefer fruit is hardier, citrus for
example, but that fruit in reefers does not generally
respond at its best in too-cold temperatures.
“The advantage of QUEST, from a product
(fruit) point of view, is a better quality turnout. But
another benefit, given that the reefer container is not
working constantly during the voyage, is that it runs
on less power and is more green-friendly, thereby
advancing the carbon footprint goal.
The main aim, says Fairlie, over and above fewer
CO2 emissions, is a pristine reefer product at the
point of discharge.
“Looking ahead, Safmarine’s focus is to be
environment-friendly and QUEST is certainly
a contributor.”