Introduction

COSCON is one of the largest carriers of refrigerated cargo in the world. We currently operates a fleet of more than 22,000 refrigerated containers worldwide. The large variety of cargoes we carry - everything from ice cream to chicken, from apples to flower bulbs, from vegetable to fish - all require different specialist refrigerated care.
At COSCON, we understand how important it is that each cargo is carried exactly according to its requirements. Advance technical expertise; well maintained specialised equipment; and constant support from our trained personnel worldwide, ensure that you and your cargoes get the best service available.
COSCON's principal objective is to transport your cargo with efficiency and care, ensuring on arrival at the final destination that your cargo is in optimal condition for your future customer.
There are a wide variety of cargoes transported in refrigerated containers, all requiring unique temperature settings. These cargoes commonly range from ice cream, requiring a temperature setting of approximately - 25'C, to flower bulbs requiring a temperature setting of up to +30'C, with many cargoes in between. COSCON carry refrigerated cargoes all over the world, travelling through climates as hot as the torrid summers of the Persian Gulf and as cold as the frigid winters of the Antarctic Ocean. The combination of the cargo temperature requirements and the climatic variations means correct temperature control of the refrigeration unit is essential, ensuring the cargo reaches its final destination in the desired condition. We transport our customer's cargoes efficiently and effectively from the point of loading all the way through to the final destination, ensuring they arrive in pristine condition for the final customer.
COSCON believe it is important that each individual customer receives the specialist attention they require. To this end our trained personnel establish close working relationships with each customer and together with our Container Technical Department ensure that all their requirements are met.

Equipment

Internal Dimensions
Capacity & Payload
Meaning of the first or the first two digits of container serial number
The red load line on the reefer interior side wall marked the permitted height for cargo.

Technical

Modified Atmosphere and Controlled Atmosphere (MA/CA)
Retarding the respiration rate of fruit and vegetables is an effective means of prolonging shelf life. This can be achieved within a container by modifying the composition of the refrigerated air surrounding the cargo. Specialist containers that can control the critical mix of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and oxygen in the atmosphere are available.
Packaging
Packaging is a fundamental element in the transport of temperature controlled cargoes. It is essential to protect cargoes from damage and contamination. The correct design and highest quality of materials need to be used to ensure it can withstand the refrigeration process and transit.

Where appropriate, packaging materials must be able to:
• Protect products from damage as a result of 'crushing'.


• Be able to withstand 'shocks' occurring in intermodal transport.


• Be shaped to fit on pallets or directly into the container for stowage.


• Prevent dehydration or reduce the water vapour transmission rate.


• Act as an oxygen barrier preventing oxidation.


• Withstand condensation and maintain its wet strength.


• Prevent odour transfer.


• Withstand temperatures of -30'C or colder.

Perishable fruits and vegetables require packaging that allows refrigerated air to circulate around the products to remove the gases and water vapour produced by their respiration.
Often cargoes are carried in cartons; these cartons must be capable of being stacked to the maximum height allowed in the container; this is approximately 2.5m (9 feet) in a hi-cube integral container, higher than most land based palletised operations. Many packaging types used for other forms of transport, for example for road haulage, may be inadequate for sea transport. Shippers are advised to thoroughly test their packaging to ensure it is suitable for transit by sea in a refrigerated container.


Shipping process



Planning
As COSCON valued customer, the following factors are taken into consideration before the cargo is booked in order to provide you with the best possible service.
• Equipment type


• Product quantity


• Transit times


• Departure and arrival times


• Market and regulatory requirements

COSCON also determines the most cost-effective and logistically efficient service to meet your needs. Our sales representatives have access to the expertise of COSCON reefer specialists, as well as other highly trained people throughout the organization.Rest assured, COSCON works in partnership with your suppliers, equipment manufacturers and others to develop special handling procedures and choose equipment for door-to-door transportation.
Booking
Customers should provide the following critical shipment information: Pickup and delivery dates are coordinated. COSCON personnel confirm space reservations and assign the shipment a booking number.
• Product(s) being shipped


• Origin and destination


• Quantity, weight and cubic measurement


• Type of packaging: boxed, drums, pallets, hanging carcass


• Preferred carrying temperature (specify in ¡ãF or ¡ãC)


• Fresh-air exchange requirements (specify in cfm or cmh)


• Modified or controlled atmosphere requirements


• The date when product is available at origin and required delivery date at destination


• Special handling requirements (e.g. dehumidification, cold treatment etc.)

And the COSCON team handles the rest for you.
• COSCON personnel enter shipment information into the computer system.


• COSCON personnel enter shipment information into the computer system.


• COSCON personnel offer the most appropriate vessel voyage and assign a container that meets the product¡¯s requirements and the transit conditions.


• COSCON personnel review shipping information to ensure that the over-the-road cargo weight is within legal limits and to recommend and confirm appropriate temperature and fresh-air exchange settings.


• Pickup and delivery dates are coordinated. COSCON personnel confirm space reservations and assign the shipment a booking number.

Pre-Shipment Handling

• COSCON works with you as partners in the quality assurance process to ensure excellent product out-turn at destination.


• The shipper arranges for preparation of the cargo, providing instructions for pre-cooling to the required carrying temperature as appropriate.


• COSCON maintenance and repair staff conduct a complete diagnostic check of the refrigeration unit and calibration as needed. You can also depend on our dedicated staff to inspect the container for damage and thoroughly clean the interior.


• The shipper then notifies the trucker to pick up the container. Next, the COSCON yard personnel check to see that the fresh-air exchange ports and carrying temperatures are set correctly.


• The trucker picks up the container and drives it to the place of loading. Upon shipper¡¯s satisfaction and acceptance, cargo is then loaded, and the container is sealed.


• A decal is then placed on the front of the container that lists the container number, vessel and voyage, name of the commodity, and temperature and fresh-air exchange setting requirements etc.


• COSCON reefer specialists periodically check the container for proper temperature, fresh air exchange and other settings, ensuring the reefer is in the best operating condition.

In-transit Monitoring

• COSCON monitors the refrigeration unit regularly to make sure that it is running properly - when it enters and leaves the container yard, when it enters the railhead, at the ocean terminal and on board the vessel.


• During distribution, COSCON personnel routinely check the decal on the front of the container against the temperature and fresh-air exchange settings. Our specially trained personnel are quick to spot discrepancies and correct problems should they occur.


• A technician regularly checks a container¡¯s settings to make sure they are within prescribed limits. After checking the container settings, the information is recorded in a log to provide an ongoing record of readings for quality control purposes.

Cargo Delivery

• COSCON personnel conduct a thorough final check before the cargo is delivered to its end destination.By paying attention to the smallest details, COSCON is always able to deliver first-class results.


• The consignee arranges local customs clearance and notifies the trucker when the cargo will be available for pickup.


• The trucker arrives to pick up the container at the COSCON port or terminal facility. In the case of store-door service, COSCON arranges a trucker for delivery.


• As the container leaves the gate, trained COSCON personnel check the temperature and make sure the refrigeration unit is functioning properly for its final journey.