February 2015, Samskip and the VGB - the Dutch Association of wholesalers in Floricultural products - have set up and successfully completed the first rail freight transports of plants by reefer container from the Netherlands to Sweden, the company said in its press release.
The so-called flora container has been developed by Unit45 to enable plants and flowers transport by multimodal rail. With an internal width of 2.50 metres and internal height of 2.78 metres the unit loads 43 flower trolleys, equalling conventional reefer trailer capacity.
During rail transport of the flora container from Duisburg to Sweden an integrated diesel generator supports active temperature control of the plants. The container is equipped with real-time tracking and temperature monitoring.
The A-B lead time between the Netherlands and the southern part of Sweden matches road transport.
The flora container allows plants and flowers to be transported in a sustainable manner, while guaranteeing a fast lead time, high payload, and cost-efficient pricing.
Between April 13 and15, 2015 the flora container will be displayed at the Nordic Flower Expo in Malmö, Sweden, the first dedicated exhibition for flower and plants in the Nordic region, attracting visitors from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and the Baltic region.
Johan Vogelaar, Manager Multimodal Services - Reefer Trade Samskip, says: “Samskip Van Dieren Multimodal's rail network and Samskip Coolboxx expertise in temperature controlled shipments ensure a value added, reliable service of specific interest to flowers and plants retailers, saving CO2 emissions at the same time!”