This week our focus is on a shipment of cargo that suffered damage due to delay in transit. This delay resulted from cold treatment failure in the USA.

Facts:

Cargo: Mandarins

Voyage: Peru – USA

Damage: Decay due to delay

Cause: Cold treatment failure at disport

Claim amount: USD 45 000

  1. What is cold treatment?
    • “The use of sustained cold temperatures as a means of insect control” USDA Treatment Manual, 3-7-2.
  2. Fruit Facts (Cargo Hanbook):
    • Mandarins:
      • Freshness facts
        Optimum carrying temperature 4°C/8°C (Mandarins)
        4°C/5°C (Clementines, Minneolas)
        Highest freezing point -1,1°C
        Acceptable product temp. at loading into containers Max. 5°C above carrying temperature
        Optimum humidity 90%
        Ventilation setting for containers 25 m³/hr
        Storage life 1 to 2 months
        Climacteric / non-climacteric Non-climacteric
        Ethylene production Very Low
        Ethylene sensitivity Moderate
        Modified / controlled atmosphere 0%-5% CO2; 5%-10% O2
        Potential benefits Slight
        Availability
        Australia/New Zealand
        South Africa
        South America        		 June – August
        April – June
  3. What to look out for:
    • Harvest and packing dates of cargo
    • Carriage instructions to carrier
    • Sensor location confirmation signed by SENESA
    • Evidence of continues review and signing of temperature records by vessel officer
    • Reason of failure given by USDA

The United States-Peru Free Trade Agreement (PTPA) which entered into force on February 1, 2009 saw an increase in fruit exports from Peru to the USA. The United States Department of Agriculture has a reputed strict procedure it applies to agricultural products entering the US. Here is a copy of its Treatment Manual and be sure to contact us as soon as you receive a notification from them about CT failure.

 

Ship Safe!

Happy to help.

StilFresh Management

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