Analysis of the use of space and module-configured packaging to improve fruit export mass in a refrigerated container

Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Southern African Institute for Industrial Engineering
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African fruit export industry is a key contributor to thecountry’s economy, and must be managed efficiently to that ensure its vital role is maintained. Significant increases in reefer freight rates have placed substantial pressure on the fruit export industry to find new and innovative ways of improving the space / volume use of fruit in these reefer containers. Improvements must adhere to key constraints to ensure that fruit quality and shelf life are not compromised. This paper analyses the current potential for increasing the mass of stone and pome fruit that is exported in reefer containers. The study indicates that pome fruit has the greatest opportunity for improvement, whereas stone fruit has less room for improving the use of space / volume. Proposed improvement methods are: optimal packing arrangements of fruit; improved packaging and pallet dimensions (special pallet sizes); improved stacking arrangements of cartons on pallets and pallets in reefers; and lastly, the use of slip sheets instead of pallets.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse vrugte uitvoer industrie is ’n belangrike bydraer tot die land se ekonomie, en moet doeltreffend bestuur word om te verseker dat hierdie rol volhou word. Beduidende toenames in koelhouer vragkostes het aansienlike druk op die vrugte uitvoer industrie geplaas om nuwe en innoverende maniere te vind om die spasie / volume benutting binne die koelhouers te verbeter. Verbeteringe moet voldoen aan belangrike beperkings om te verseker dat die kwaliteit en raklewe van vrugte nie benadeel word nie. Hierdie studie ontleed die potensiaal om die uitvoer massa van steen- en kernvrugte in verkoelde houers te verhoog. Die studie dui aan dat kernvrugte die grootste geleentheid bied vir verbetering, terwyl met steenvrugte daar minder potensiaal is om spasie / volume benutting te verbeter. Die voorgestelde verbeterings-metodes is soos volg: optimale verpakkingsreëlings van vrugte; verbeterde verpakking en palletafmetings (spesiale pallet-groottes); verbeterde stapelreëlings van kartonne op palette en palette in koelkashouers; en laastens, die gebruik van ‘slip sheets’ in plaas van palette.
Description
CITATION: Louw, L. & Nel, S. 2019. Analysis of the use of space and module-configured packaging to improve fruit export mass in a refrigerated container. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 30(1):4-109, doi:10.7166/30-1-1879.
The original publication is available at http://sajie.journals.ac.za
Keywords
Fruits -- Exports, Refrigerated containers, Export sales contracts
Citation
Louw, L. & Nel, S. 2019. Analysis of the use of space and module-configured packaging to improve fruit export mass in a refrigerated container. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 30(1):4-109, doi:10.7166/30-1-1879