TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico (TMPR) is expanding its fleet with 220 containers chilled by the NaturaLINE® unit from Carrier Transicold. TMPR says it is the first shipping line to place a sizable quantity of NaturaLINE units into service on U.S. domestic trade routes. NaturaLINE units use carbon dioxide (CO2), a refrigerant which the company claims has the lowest global warming potential (GWP) among all refrigerants currently used in container systems.
TMPR’s new refrigerated containers – a mix of 40-foot and 45-foot high-cube models – are being acquired via lease from SeaCube Containers LLC. NaturaLINE units use CO2 refrigerant, also known as R-744, which the company says is also non-ozone depleting and classified as A1 for low-toxicity and no flame propagation.
“With its natural refrigerant, NaturaLINE units help fleets guard against regulations, environmental taxes and phase outs that other refrigerants could be subject to during the operational life span of units purchased today,” said David Appel, president, Carrier Transicold & Refrigeration Systems.
He added that R-744’s thermal characteristics enable the unit to achieve minus 40 degrees Celsius. Previously, reaching such a low temperature required a container system using a refrigerant with a GWP nearly 4,000 times higher than R-744, according to the company.
“TMPR tested NaturaLINE units in our fleet and found that in all temperature ranges, its capabilities surpassed our expectations,” said Jim Wagstaff, vice president operations, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico.'
TMPR said the NaturaLINE unit’s deep-frozen capacity was an important factor when considering moving cargoes, such as ice cream, through the tropics. According to Wagstaff, the NaturaLINE unit’s use of environmentally sustainable refrigerant supports its pledge to be the most environmentally responsible organization in the maritime industry.
“TOTE’s commitment to Puerto Rico is about more than reliable deliveries and exceptional customer service,” said Chris Willman, vice president sales & marketing, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico. “It’s about leading the industry with best-in-class, environmentally sustainable products, such as NaturaLINE refrigeration units and our emissions-reducing Marlin-class vessels, the first container ships efficiently powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), providing service to the island since 2015.”
“With this order, we are pleased to be able to help TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico in achieving its environmental goals,” said Robert Sappio, CEO, SeaCube.
“Through this commitment to NaturaLINE technology, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico and SeaCube Containers are helping to advance the container shipping industry toward a more sustainable future,” Appel said.
For more information:
Greg Brostowicz
Carrier Transicold
Ph: +1 (561) 365-1322
greg.brostowicz@utc.com
www.transicold.carrier.com