1. technology and computing

Blue is the new green
Imagine what
you can achieve
in 50 days
For the world’s banana exporters, limits on how far bananas can
be transported have traditionally kept distant markets out of reach.
StarCare™, the Controlled Atmosphere (CA) container from
Maersk Line and MCI, removes these barriers with technology
that keeps your bananas fresh for up to 50 days.
This means new markets and new business growth for banana
producers around the world.
maerskline.com
What StarCare™ can offer you
• Specially designed to carry bananas over longer distances
• Maintains outstanding cargo quality for up to 50 days
• Enables you to reach more distant markets than ever before
• Gives shippers and consignees far more flexibility than break bulk
• Eliminates the need for “Banavac bags”, further reducing costs
• Also very useful for the transportation of avocados
More commodities will be available for the StarCareTM during 2011.
Guidelines
Acceptance / Ripening
Recommended guidelines for bananas
Transit time
Transshipment
< = 3 weeks
< = 4 weeks
< = 5 weeks
< = 7 weeks
> 7 weeks
1
Standard
Standard
StarCare
StarCare
No
2
Standard
StarCare
StarCare
StarCare
No
>=3
StarCare
StarCare
StarCare
No
No
7
3
0
0
N/A
Ripe within
(days) *
* Time between removal from CA environment and until ripening process commence.
Blue is the new green
What are Controlled Atmosphere (CA) containers?
CA containers regulate oxygen, carbon dioxide
and nitrogen levels, as well as temperature
and humidity.
Managing the balance of atmospheric gasses
can help to maintain product quality over
longer shipping and storage periods.
How does StarCare™ work?
StarCare™ is a passive CA system in which the
fruit itself creates the desired environment.
Due to respiration, the fruit absorbs the oxygen (O2) and reduce the level of this gas in the
StarCare™ container. Lower oxygen levels slow
down the respiration process of the fruits.
Also through respiration, the bananas produce carbon dioxide (CO2), causing increased
CO2 levels inside the container. Elevated CO2
level contributes to lower respiration and
at the same time suppresses the release of
ethylene and outgrowth of mould.
StarCare™ technical highlights
Accurate maintaining of optimal gas levels by:
1. Advanced membrane technology
2. Robust sensors : Oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2)
3. Automatic fresh air intake when necessary
Blue is the new green
Innovative membrane technology
StarCare™ features advanced membrane technology to accurately maintain the level of CO2 inside the
container. If CO2 levels exceed their optimal threshold, the membrane will be activated and start to
permeate CO2 molecules away from the cargo space.
If O2 level drops below the set point, the fresh air intake will automatically open up, to let in ambient air.
maerskline.com