Stowage

Proper stowing is essential in maintaining adequate airflow for desired temperatures. Critical factors to maximize post-harvest life include having a clear stowage plan and understanding how stowage patterns affect airflow in the container.

Frozen cargo should be stowed as a solid block, leaving no space between packages/cartons and no space between the cargo and the walls of the containers. This stowage pattern allows refrigerated air to circulate evenly around the cargo and ensures that heat penetrating the container does not come into contact with the load.

Cargo should be stowed below the red line.

Chilled cargo cargo should be block stowed or stacked as a solid block, without leaving any space between the cargo and the walls of the container.

For all stowage and cargo loading, it is important to cover the entire floor with pallets, boxes, or other materials, and load them below the RED LINE .

Unitized cargo stowage in bottom-air delivery containers

Instructions for block stowing hand-stowed cargo:

• Stack cargo as a solid block. There should be little or no separation between the load and the walls of the container.
• Do not leave any space between cartons. Since air takes the path with least resistance in returning to the refrigeration unit, a gap between cartons can cause the cold air to shortcycle through the gap. When shortcycling occurs, part of the load may not benefit from the cold air, and can be carried at less desirable temperatures.
• Cover the entire floor with cargo.
• Leave enough space above and beneath the load for air to properly circulate.
• Do not stow cargo above the red line on the interior container wall.
• Do not use clipsheets with chilled cargo.

For block stowing unitized cargo, follow the above instructions for hand-stowed cargo and include the following:

• Stack cartons squarely one on top of each other, so that the weight
  of the carton is evenly distributed on its four corners.
• Align the top and bottom carton vents, so that air can flow properly through the load.
• Do not use shrink-wrap or other material that may block package vents and obstruct airflow.

Summary of correct loading and stowage requirement:

• Cargo is block stowed - since air takes the path with least resistance.
• There are no gaps between items in the load and ensure the whole T-floor is covered - because air should not be shortcycled.
• Cargo level is below the red line with minimum space at the back of the container - as lower airflow could cause hot spots.