07 Apr Using Dunnage Bags To Ship Citrus Fruit Safely
Despite most citrus being relatively hardy, the possibility of pallet loads of citrus cartons collapsing during reefer transport due to movement is high. Generally, the lower cartons on a pallet carrying the most weight will collapse if there is enough space for the pallet load to sway. Containers on a marine vessel can be subjected to significant forces that reverse every few seconds as the vessel makes its way through the waves of the world’s oceans. The magnitude of the forces exerted on cargo is dependent on weather conditions and the length of the voyage.
Did you know that a ship can roll side to side more than 40 000 times in one voyage? The most effective and affordable way to minimise movement is by using dunnage bags to fill voids that are most evident between the doors of the container and the citrus pallets.
What Are Dunnage Bags And How Are They Used To Ship Citrus Fruit Safely?
Dunnage bags are inflatable bags that are designed to primarily be placed between the pallets of cargo in a container. Once inflated, the bags push the cargo against the container wall and the force they exert prevents the cargo from shifting.
However, most citrus producers do not have the luxury of utilising ten or more dunnage bags per 40’ container due to the relatively low value of the fruit and the narrow margins they make on the produce. As a result, most export packhouses place two dunnage bags between the last two pallets and the doors of the container. These serve as void fillers, minimising movement and preventing damage to the fruit.
In addition, citrus fruits require great care due to their vulnerabilities to temperature changes and surface damage. This is an issue in refrigerated containers because chilled air frequently short-circuits and the fresh fruit does not maintain the correct temperature. This problem inspired the patented Reefer Air Flow Technology (RAFT) kits, which fit into any 20- or 40-foot reefer container. The chilled air is forced to follow a more horizontal course through the pallets with this system. This is accomplished by putting a floor liner on part of the container floor and blocking the air gap above and below the pallets with specially designed and patented baffles.
The velocity of air rises when the chilled air is provided through a smaller surface area rather than over the top of the load, resulting in improved penetration through the entire load and thus better management of fruit pulp temperature.
Woven Dunnage Bags
Woven polypropylene bags are tough and may be used in both dry and damp environments and
are ideal for securing extremely heavy goods. The woven material has an extremely high tear strength and moisture resistance. Because of the endurance of the woven material, polywoven dunnage bags are more likely to be reused and are recyclable.
Conclusion
Using dunnage bags is the most efficient and cost-effective way to protect citrus fruits from being damaged during transportation. They have an outstanding load stabilising capacity, resistance to load shifting, and can withstand tons of pressure.
DunLash understands that using multiple dunnage bags for a single container can be costly, which is why we take the effort to provide high-quality, long-lasting polywoven dunnage bags. That means you can efficiently use two polywoven dunnage bags without worrying about void, wear, tear, or the safety of your cargo during transit. Our dunnage bags are also very reasonably priced and provide excellent value to everyone in the logistics industry.
Contact us today to get a quote or learn more about our dunnage options.