OT Africa Line expands Reefer Service

In response to the rising demand for specialist containers on the steadily maturing West Africa trade, OT Africa Line (OTAL) has introduced a range of 40 ft. and 40 ft. high cube refrigerated containers (reefers). These containers are a new addition to the OTAL fleet which currently comprises of 20 ft. reefers, ventilated containers, dry vans, flatracks, collapsible flatracks and open tops and 40 ft. high cubes, dry vans, flatracks, collapsible flatracks, and open tops. The new reefers will be used to transport the growing number of perishable products imported and exported by West Africa every day. OTAL's new 40 ft. and 40 ft. high cube reefers are made from muffler grade stainless steel (MGSS) and have six lashing points on each side of the internal bottom rail. A genset mount at the front of the reefer enables a mobile generator set to be attached to the unit. Gensets run on diesel, not electricity, and enable refrigeration to be maintained even if there is no shipboard or quayside electricity supply available, or if the container is being transported overland. The acquisition of the new containers broadens OTAL?s equipment portfolio and means that it will be able to meet individual customer requirements more readily and with increased flexibility. Movements of perishable cargo such as meat, dairy products, fresh fish and fruit require special care and attention. Reefers are ideal for the transportation of such goods as they are specially insulated and have built in refrigeration units. While a reefer unit is in operation, a constant flow of air (set to a specific temperature) is circulated around the cargo by the container's evaporator fans (located at the base of the unit) before it is extracted. The most advanced reefer containers, such as those used by OTAL, are computerised enabling an exact temperature setting to be programmed and maintained. This type of precision control has made the transportation of perishable goods easier, something especially important when shipping goods to and from West Africa where temperatures and humidity are often very high.