1. Introduction
Growers, packers, exporters and shipping companies have a common interest in providing the best possible quality produce to export markets. Quality cannot be improved during handling and transport, but the rate at which it is lost can be reduced by following the recommendations in this Code of Practice.
Each particular overseas market and/or customer has product specifications, for example, the size, colour and maturity of produce. Thus produce should be grown with the intention of supplying a particular customer, and the harvesting, grading and packing should be carried out in accordance with those specifications.
Shippers and consignees should be aware of the maturity indices for chilled horticultural produce. Whilst there are procedures for retarding the ripening process, it is not possible to reverse it.
Exporters need to be committed to supplying high quality produce on a regular basis.
There are various models, makes and ages of refrigerated containers in use. When exporting temperature and time sensitive commodities, exporters should liaise accordingly with the shipping company to ensure a container fit for purpose is supplied that is capable of operating to desired and mutually agreed requirements.
Maintaining proper conditions during shipment from the packing shed to the overseas market is an important factor in minimising quality loss.
Trial shipments of a new fruit or vegetable will require substantial co-operation between all parties to ensure satisfactory outturn of cargo at destination.
Shippers, exporters, carriers and agents should be aware that where an in transit cold sterilization or quarantine process is required the temperatures and other related procedures in this manual should be disregarded. The carriage of ITCS cargoes is a complex process which must be performed in
accordance with the protocols agreed between the Governments and Quarantine bodies of the exporting and importing countries. There is no attempt in this manual to explain these protocols because they vary from country to country, from cargo to cargo and transit time to transit time. The
policies and protocols as agreed and nominated by the carrier/and or its agents in conjunction with the respective government bodies must apply throughout the total post harvest to final consignee supply chain.
Problems could occur in the carriage of containerised reefer cargo due to the lack of adequate and accurate carriage instructions issued by shippers. It is extremely important that rational procedural precautions are routinely adopted and instructions are always given in writing to all parties in the transport chain. Shippers must ensure that all documentation shows the Set Point temperature. It is recommended that the information contained in the electronic Pre-Receival Advice should be made available to all parties in the transport chain.
The Shipper is in the best position to know the optimum temperature and container vent settings (or Fresh Air Exchange rates) for the carriage of his product and his reefer instructions should be followed unless they are obviously wrong or raise a natural uncertainty. Carriage instructions given to a shipping company must be complete, adequate and accurate to avoid the risk of damage to the cargo. It must be noted that the same produce from different origins may require different carriage requirements.
Temperature is considered to be measured and stated in Degrees Celsius [°C], while Fresh Air Exchange rates should be stated in cubic metres per hour (CMH) for the purpose of this Code. Any variance from this practice must be highlighted to all parties in the chain to ensure that there is no misunderstanding.
Each link/carrier in the transport chain must pass on the carriage requirements to subsequent links/ carriers.
It must be stressed that the only temperature, which can be controlled is the ‘Set Point’. The Set Point corresponds to air delivery temperature for chilled cargo. The term ‘carriage temperature’ therefore, cannot be used in carriage instructions.
The successful delivery of horticultural produce from origin to destination in refrigerated containers is also dependent on the maintenance of suitable storage and packing conditions during transport.
The quality of the produce can be maintained only if each link in the chain continuously maintains the integrity of the chain.
1.1. Marine insurance
Shippers and Consignees should be aware that the Contract of Carriage in the Bill of Lading, whilst placing certain responsibilities on the Carrier also places liability on Shippers/Consignees for certain events.
It is strongly recommended that shippers/consignees acquaint themselves with these liabilities and make provision for them in their insurance arrangements.
In particular shippers/consignees should look at their liability under the following:
Growers, packers, exporters and shipping companies have a common interest in providing the best possible quality produce to export markets. Quality cannot be improved during handling and transport, but the rate at which it is lost can be reduced by following the recommendations in this Code of Practice.
Each particular overseas market and/or customer has product specifications, for example, the size, colour and maturity of produce. Thus produce should be grown with the intention of supplying a particular customer, and the harvesting, grading and packing should be carried out in accordance with those specifications.
Shippers and consignees should be aware of the maturity indices for chilled horticultural produce. Whilst there are procedures for retarding the ripening process, it is not possible to reverse it.
Exporters need to be committed to supplying high quality produce on a regular basis.
There are various models, makes and ages of refrigerated containers in use. When exporting temperature and time sensitive commodities, exporters should liaise accordingly with the shipping company to ensure a container fit for purpose is supplied that is capable of operating to desired and mutually agreed requirements.
Maintaining proper conditions during shipment from the packing shed to the overseas market is an important factor in minimising quality loss.
Trial shipments of a new fruit or vegetable will require substantial co-operation between all parties to ensure satisfactory outturn of cargo at destination.
Shippers, exporters, carriers and agents should be aware that where an in transit cold sterilization or quarantine process is required the temperatures and other related procedures in this manual should be disregarded. The carriage of ITCS cargoes is a complex process which must be performed in
accordance with the protocols agreed between the Governments and Quarantine bodies of the exporting and importing countries. There is no attempt in this manual to explain these protocols because they vary from country to country, from cargo to cargo and transit time to transit time. The
policies and protocols as agreed and nominated by the carrier/and or its agents in conjunction with the respective government bodies must apply throughout the total post harvest to final consignee supply chain.
Problems could occur in the carriage of containerised reefer cargo due to the lack of adequate and accurate carriage instructions issued by shippers. It is extremely important that rational procedural precautions are routinely adopted and instructions are always given in writing to all parties in the transport chain. Shippers must ensure that all documentation shows the Set Point temperature. It is recommended that the information contained in the electronic Pre-Receival Advice should be made available to all parties in the transport chain.
The Shipper is in the best position to know the optimum temperature and container vent settings (or Fresh Air Exchange rates) for the carriage of his product and his reefer instructions should be followed unless they are obviously wrong or raise a natural uncertainty. Carriage instructions given to a shipping company must be complete, adequate and accurate to avoid the risk of damage to the cargo. It must be noted that the same produce from different origins may require different carriage requirements.
Temperature is considered to be measured and stated in Degrees Celsius [°C], while Fresh Air Exchange rates should be stated in cubic metres per hour (CMH) for the purpose of this Code. Any variance from this practice must be highlighted to all parties in the chain to ensure that there is no misunderstanding.
Each link/carrier in the transport chain must pass on the carriage requirements to subsequent links/ carriers.
It must be stressed that the only temperature, which can be controlled is the ‘Set Point’. The Set Point corresponds to air delivery temperature for chilled cargo. The term ‘carriage temperature’ therefore, cannot be used in carriage instructions.
The successful delivery of horticultural produce from origin to destination in refrigerated containers is also dependent on the maintenance of suitable storage and packing conditions during transport.
The quality of the produce can be maintained only if each link in the chain continuously maintains the integrity of the chain.
1.1. Marine insurance
Shippers and Consignees should be aware that the Contract of Carriage in the Bill of Lading, whilst placing certain responsibilities on the Carrier also places liability on Shippers/Consignees for certain events.
It is strongly recommended that shippers/consignees acquaint themselves with these liabilities and make provision for them in their insurance arrangements.
In particular shippers/consignees should look at their liability under the following:
- General Average
- Damage/loss to container whilst in their care
- Damage or injury caused due to improper packing
- Failure to disclose hazardous or dangerous cargo.
