Dutch logistics company Samskip has successfully completed the first rail freight transports of plants using reefer containers from the Netherlands to Sweden.
Samskip has achieved this milestone with the support of the Dutch Association of wholesalers in Floricultural products, VGB.
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Developed by Unit45, the flora container allows the transportation of plants and flowers through multimodal rail.
It guarantees a fast lead time, high payload and cost-efficient pricing, the company stated.
Samskip reefer trade – multimodal services manager Johan Vogelaar said: "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."
With an internal width of 2.50m and internal height of 2.78m, the container will be capable of carrying 43 flower trolleys.
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By GlobalDataThe flora container features real-time tracking and temperature monitoring. An integrated diesel generator supported active temperature control of the plants during its journey from Duisburg to Sweden.
According to Samskip, the A-B lead time between the Netherlands and the southern part of Sweden matches road transport.
Samskip offers transport and related services by land, sea, rail and air, providing special focus on cost-efficient, sustainable and environmentally friendly transport.
The company provides services mainly in the sectors including European multimodal transport, North Atlantic integrated logistics, worldwide temperature-controlled and ambient cargo forwarding and logistics and European breakbulk and project cargo movements.
Its reefers enable temperature-controlled transport for temperature-sensitive or perishable products such as fruit and vegetables, dairy products, meat, fish, flowers, plants, frozen foods, sweets and pharmaceuticals.
Image: The flora container allows plants and flowers to be transported in a sustainable manner. Photo: courtesy of Samskip Holding.
