MHW Magazine News and stories from the Materials Handling Industry
Stand 948, Multimodal 2010, NEC, Birmingham (27-29 April)
Carrier Transicold is bringing its wealth of intermodal expertise to the UK with the launch of a flexible solution for logistics companies moving temperature controlled freight by road and rail. Carrier Transicold is part of Carrier Corp., a business unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
This solution combines the proven reliability and strong environmental credentials of the Vector® 1850 refrigeration system, coupled with its suitability for intermodal operations. For the first time in the UK, the Vector 1850 will be available for use in rail freight applications, building upon successful solutions provided to customers in Australia, Holland, Norway and Switzerland, where road freight was transferred onto rail.
Central to Carrier Transicold’s offering is the unique ability of the Vector 1850 multi-temperature system to cool and heat at the same time. This enables operators to accurately maintain up to three different set points ranging from -30ºC to +32ºC in multi-compartment trailers or rail cars. As well as ensuring maximum flexibility, this feature protects refrigerated and ambient goods during extreme winter weather.
Commenting on the launch, Justin Grace, managing director of Carrier Transicold UK, said, "The Vector 1850 has built a reputation as the benchmark trailer refrigeration system in the UK for many of the largest truck fleets. Its suitability for transfer onto rail applications means we have an excellent product offering for logistics companies looking to transport goods by both road and rail."
The launch builds on the excellent performance of 320 Vector 1850 units operated by Bring Frigoscandia, the largest provider of temperature-controlled transport in the Nordic market. In addition to its road-based fleet, the company operates a 36 carriage intermodal rail service along a 3,000 km route between Oslo and Rotterdam, primarily transporting fish to the south, and dry groceries on the return.
This intermodal network was put to the ultimate test in January 2010 when a particularly severe cold wave swept over the interior highlands of Norway and threatened to put the country’s fish exports – its second largest export commodity – in a deep freeze. With temperatures dipping below -40°C, holding perishable foods between the desired range of 0°C to +5°C was even more demanding than normal. It also placed extra pressure on the Carrier Transicold systems, which were operating at temperatures where oil is at risk of freezing.
Despite the extreme conditions, all 320 Vector 1850 units performed flawlessly throughout the winter, and Bring Frigoscandia didn’t record a single equipment failure or customer complaint about the temperature integrity inside its fleet.
Carrier Transicold’s UK intermodal offer will utilise the same Vector 1850 technology as adopted by Bring Frigoscandia and several other road-based fleets around the world. The Vector system uses non-ozone-depleting R-404A refrigerant to offer unparalleled pull down and temperature control, along with Carrier’s patented all-electric technology, which is designed to reduce the number of serviceable parts such as belts, clutches and shaft seals in each system, helping to lengthen product life and enhance reliability. Furthermore, 94 per cent of the components used in a Vector 1850 unit can be recycled at the end of its operating life.
