Almar Container Group, Author at ALMAR

2021 Global Shipping Container Market Update by Almar Container Group

8th March 202122nd January 2021 by Almar Container Group

To kick 2021 off, we thought we would share a few updates on the current global shipping container market, as things continue to change very quickly.

Factors at Play

Freight rates continue to soar, with the Global Container Index moving up by over 30% in the past three weeks. (Source: fbx.freightos.com)
Update (04/03/2021): Freight rates continue to rise, with the Global Container Index moving up by over 10% in the past 5 weeks. (Source: fbx.freightos.com)

With Chinese New Year in early February and the subsequent manufacturing shutdown, there are generally a large number of “blank sailings” as shipping lines reduce capacity ahead of the shutdown, however this year there has been very limited reduction in sailings
Update (04/03/2021): Chinese New Year has come and gone, with almost zero impact on the shipping volumes. Blank sailings reported in previous years at around 20%, were only reflecting at 3% for this year.

With COVID related lockdowns happening globally to varying extents, the result is a significantly disrupted inland logistics chain, resulting in more containers needed for the same amount of cargo.
Update (04/03/2021): Disrupted inland logistics chain is still creating an inefficient use of containers, resulting in more containers needed for the same amount of cargo.

The Global Shipping Container Market Price

Shipping container factories continue to constrain supply into the market by operating reduced production shifts. This has resulted in an order backlog going into June 2021 for some factories and pricing drastically rising over 50% over the last 5 months.
Update (04/03/2021): There is currently no view on when container factories will open up more than one shift, meaning that production lead times will remain long with sustained higher pricing.

The used container market has continued to rise too, specifically in China, with all global markets now following suit. Pricing in some ports in China has moved above $4,500 for a USED 40ft HC.
Update (04/03/2021): Pricing in some ports in China has moved above $5,800 for a USED 40ft HC.

What is causing this?

There are many theories, but it seems the main driver is the shift by the global consumer from service-based spend (travel, tourism, restaurants etc.) to consumer goods, resulting in a spike in demand for shipping services.

How long will it last?

It is very difficult to say, but with the continued 2nd and 3rd waves occurring globally, we see the situation maintaining until well into Q2 of 2021.

Update (04/03/2021): We do see this extending well into Q2 now and potentially even Q3 of 2021.

Immediate impact for us?

Prices will increase in South Africa during the early part of 2021 and it is likely that this will continue during the first quarter. It is difficult to predict the price in the longer term, but we believe that prices will remain significantly higher for most of 2021 compared to the prices of 2020.

Update (04/03/2021): The direct impact has been slower and less dramatic for us in South Africa. We do however see this changing and the challenge is set to become less around price (although that will continue to rise), and more around actual availability of containers.

We hope this provides a helpful insight into the global container market. Please feel free to contact Almar on 031 561 67 67 should you require further information.

ISOtanks, The Ideal Storage Solution For Dynamic Brands.

21st January 202119th January 2021 by Almar Container Group

Almar Container Group recently delivered five brand new ISOtanks to Dynamic Brands, an Eastern Cape company who, since 2001, has been manufacturing and distributing a high-quality range of beverages across Southern Africa.

The ISOtanks were delivered in mid-December 2020 and store 26 000 litres of syrup per tank. According to Operational Financial Manager, Guido Muller, Dynamic Brands needed bulk storage as quickly as possible and ISOtanks were the ideal solution. They now have storage capacity for over 130 000 litres of syrup.

“We needed to get tanks in urgently and Almar was able to assist us with the food grade tanks we required in a very short turnaround time. In our industry time is our most crucial factor and has an impact on every aspect of production, so getting the storage tanks quickly was paramount. The tanks arrived on site and were exactly what we needed,’’ explains Guido.

ISOtanks, also known as ISOtainers, are multimodal containers used for the storage of bulk liquids. They are internationally approved, meet global safety standards and are inspected by registered surveyors. The tanks go through a series of washes and leak detection tests after every use, and thereafter certificates are issued stating they are clean and fit for loading product.

These bulk storage containers have the capacity to carry over 26 000 litres of liquid which has significant advantages over traditional 44-gallon drums or IBCs (Immediate Bulk Containers) which requires substantial manpower to unload, fill, seal and load for transportation and, depending on the liquid being stored, are often single use.

ISOtainers are built to last and have an estimated lifespan of 20 to 30 years. This means that they can be reused numerous times to store bulk liquids. These bulk liquid storage containers are stackable and with maximising space, time and budget being a priority, Almar ISOtainers on lease are the ultimate solution.

For more information contact Wesley Turk from Almar on 071 354 3030 or 031 561 6767.

What is a Clip-On Reefer Genset?

21st October 202227th October 2020 by Almar Container Group

Clip-on reefer gensets are specifically designed diesel generators used to power refrigerated containers known as reefers.

Reefer containers are big, mobile fridges that are used to transport and store products that need to be temperature controlled such as fruits, meat, fish, seafood, vegetables, dairy, beverages, medication and anatomical waste, for example.

These 20ft (6m) and 40ft (12m) containers are 2.4m wide and run on three phase (380 – 460v) power and can keep their contents at a consistent temperature ranging between -25°C and +25°C. Temperature can be adjusted and controlled to within 0.3°C of required set point.

Gensets are used when reefers get transported from one location to another and contain stock which needs to remain at a certain temperature. ALMAR Kenya offer gensets on a rental basis for running reefers in remote locations, or alternatively for reefers on trucks for the transportation of perishable cargo.

Reefer genset frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Fuel consumption. Although an exact figure cannot be provided, you can expect fuel consumption to be between 2.5L and 3L per hour depending on the reefer load. The age of the reefer also has an impact as the older reefers work the gensets slightly harder than the newer reefers. Our gensets are, however, fitted with a dual mode option of “eco” or “power” which controls the running speed after start-up. Eco mode provides approximately 25% efficiency in fuel consumption depending on ambient temperatures and reefer set point.
Breakdown assistance. ALMAR Kenya ensures that all our gensets are serviced regularly to avoid breakdowns. We also train the driver and/or turn-man on the workings of the genset prior to loading. This training includes how to switch it on, noises to listen out for and possible minor breakdown solutions like airlocks, for example.
Clipping and unclipping. ALMAR undertakes this ourselves as we have access to trained operators.

Reefer Gensets Benefits

Flexibility: Reefer gensets enable you to run reefers without an electrical connection, ensuring that you are not tied down to a specific location.
Cold Chain Security: Gensets allow the security of keeping the cold chain complete throughout the stages of perishable product delivery, providing 460v of continuous power for uninterrupted protection.
Reliability: Our genset fleet is exceptionally young and maintained to the highest levels. They are also built to last with the direct injection engine designed to handle the most rugged of operating environments.

For more information contact Tobias Okumu on +254 713 780 294 or +254 719 675 272 or email toby@almar.co.ke.

Tips to avoid container fraud

12th January 202221st October 2020 by Almar Container Group

How to Avoid Container Fraud when Buying a Container.

1.Investigate what companies are generally charging for shipping containers. If the price is significantly better than any other quote, this should raise a specific concern.

2.Only deal with companies that have been in business for some time and have a historical reputation you can track.

3.Ensure other customers are happy with their service, but don’t rely on their website references or testimonials as these are easy to fabricate. You can, for example, check third party reviews such as Google. See ours here: Almar – Google Reviews

4.Don’t be bullied into the sale by claims that this is the last container at this price, or anything similar.

5.When you phone the person, and ideally you should, if the seller has a distinctly foreign accent, this might be an alarm bell. Some fraudsters operate from other countries with no presence in South Africa at all.

6.If there isn’t a landline number on the website, this could be a sign that the company has no physical presence.

7.Contact container associations like CTIA (www.containa.org) and COA (www.containerownersassociation.org) to see if the company is registered.

8.If there is a physical address on the website, don’t take it for granted that it is genuine. Rather check on Google Maps to make sure it really is a valid address.

9.Check the creation date of the website domain using a domain search website like Who Is (www.whois.com). If the website was created in recent months, this too should be an alarm bell.

10.If you are asked to confirm which bank account you are going to use for payment, don’t provide this information other than possibly stating which financial institution you use. Chances are they are buying time while waiting to open up a suitable bank account to be able to get your payment.

Global Shipping Container Industry Update: 6 Months Into COVID-19

21st October 202218th September 2020 by Almar Container Group

With the uncertainty that 2020 has brought as a result of COVID-19, we felt it was a good time to reflect and project on what is happening in the shipping container industry globally.

Looking Back

The last six months have been incredibly turbulent for large parts of the global economy, but the logistics industry in which the humble shipping container is still central, has managed to continue steadily through the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit with some peaks and troughs.

The roller coaster of a year was impacted largely by the below:

An initial shutdown of China resulted in large blank sailings and as such, an oversupply of shipping containers in China.
The consecutive shutdown of further economies globally meant huge inefficiencies in logistics, resulting in shipping container shortages.
A reduction in global trade resulting in lines cutting back on sailings and capacity, leaning towards an ease of container supply.
Panicked PPE shipments from China, combined with Christmas shipments resulting in a strong 40ft HC demand market. With the above playing out, the container prices have been surprisingly fairly stable, with marginal reductions in the USD price earlier in the year.

Current Situation

There has, however, been an unprecedented increase in shipping container prices over the last few weeks in China. Prices have increased as much as 25%, soaring to over $2,500 for a used 40ft HC in some Chinese ports. Not only have prices increased, but the availability has drastically reduced, with month on month reductions in idle stock at the factories dropping by 17%.

This has been driven by the culmination of the above “roller coaster” factors, which are now having an impact, as well as impending USA v China trade war tariffs, which are said to be causing large amounts of “pre-tariff trade”.

Looking Forward

Although the price increases are not sustainable and seem to be driven by short term factors as opposed to robust global growth, the shortage is so severe, we do believe that the pricing impact will flow through to the local market in South Africa.

The one factor that could stall this, is the strengthening of the Rand. We have seen this move stronger over the last month, but continued strength is anyone’s guess and so without the assistance of the Rand, we may see container prices on the rise.

Please feel free to contact the Almar sales team on 031 561 6767 or email sales.za@almar.co.za should you require further information.

ALMAR’s refreshed and refined corporate identity and value set

12th January 202212th May 2020 by Almar Container Group

Building a legacy – The History of the Container Industry and the History of Almar

In the mid 1950’s, the first trials were being done on using containers on ships to move cargo, as opposed to the traditional breakbulk (cargo nets and hand) method. Initial trials by the US Military, reflected cargo handling savings of over 100 times. This created a frenzy of excitement, with the first major container ship carrying 720 containers which sailed in 1968.

By 1980, 90% of all goods shipped were containerised, and vessels are now built to carry over 20 000 containers on one ship! As an example of the transport efficiencies created, a 40ft HC can carry 10 000 iPads, resulting in a transport cost from Shanghai to Rotterdam of 5 US cents per iPad.

With the rapid growth of the container industry, Alistair Forbes, founder of Almar Container Group, was employed by CTI Container Transport International in 1977, which at that time was the largest leasing company in the world. He was subsequently employed by Textainer which is currently the 2nd largest container group in the world owning approximately 3.2 million containers.

By 1988, Alistair was the Textainer Marketing Director of the Southern Hemisphere. He was then under pressure to relocate to San Francisco and that is when he decided to start Almar Container Group.

The Almar name has deep family roots, in being the combination of Alistair and his wife Marilyn names. The business literally started with Alistair and a telephone book full of contacts, a passion for containers, and a strong interest in international business.

Almar found its niche in the international market in doing something no one else at the time was doing, international one way containers. The general trading of containers was starting to become well entrenched but Almar was one of the first to pioneer the one way movement of containers and take advantage of offering the valuable service of one way use, as well as capitalise on a ‘buy low, sell high’ market.

The international focus was always strong and resulted in opening offices in Dubai, India, Brazil, Kenya, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, Angola, Uganda.

Along with regional growth, Almar expanded its product offering from just dry containers, to reefers, specialised containers, offshore certified containers, bitutainers, tanks and conversions.

As with most family businesses, it is the founder’s values and principles that have made Almar the success it is today and therefore it is Alistair’s values that need to be continuously used as a sounding board.

The values that Alistair has always comeback to as being fundamental to Almar’s success are:

Passion
Humility
Teamwork
Hard work
Integrity
Reliability
Respect for all

Almar’s newly refined and defined value set are closely aligned with our founding principles.

More than ever, we are determined not to let our values be something that remains on a piece of paper but that our customers and suppliers experience our wholehearted commitment in every engagement. Our aim remains to partner with them to understand your business needs and to provide the right solution simply, reliably and fast.

Almar launches a new corporate identity

With the reflection on our foundational values, we have also taken the step to refresh our corporate identity. Our business has been refined over the years to ensure that our product and service offerings are in line with our customers’ evolving needs. Along with this, we have seen our logo simplified and refreshed and we are proud to share our updated logo:

Our new icon can be seen in many different forms and this interesting and dynamic shape allows for various opportunities to visually associate aspects of our business as follows:

Cube: Representing the simple and humble container, the original enabler for global trade.

Arrows: Representing our brand promises Simple, Reliable, Fast.

Hexagon: Representing the strongest natural shape and the strength in our team.

Throughout our history, it has been the partnerships that we have enjoyed with our customers and suppliers that have ensured our longevity. Without these partnerships Almar would not be where it is today and for this we are truly grateful.

Who is Almar?

Our Purpose

Partner and Solve

Our aim is to simplify life for our customers by passionately committing to help them overcome their challenges. We do this best by working together as a team and creating strong relationships.

Our Values

Act in the spirit of True Partnership

To authentically partner we need to understand our partners, ask questions and listen, learn from them, teach them, challenge them and appreciate them. We treat everyone as equal and work together to solve.

Always Be Open and Honest

We act with integrity, always doing what we believe is right and thus we have nothing to hide. We know that solid relationships are built on a clear sense of expectation and complete honesty. When expectations are not met, we do what it takes to make it right.

Wholeheartedly Commit

We are passionate about everything we do and committed to delivering the best we can in every situation.

Stay Focused and Agile

Always with clarity of intent, we are empowered to act quickly and to adapt in order to effectively solve. We remain agile by constantly reflecting and learning and never becoming complacent.

Keep it Simple

Our roots are grounded in the simplest form solving the most complex challenges. We constantly seek to simplify, be it through new products, how customers can talk to us and the practical solutions we offer.

Attributes and Differentials

Simple

We constantly seek to simplify what we do.

Reliable

We have over 30 years of experience and do what we say we will.

Fast

Our team is prepared, focused and empowered.

Remote Monitoring and Managing of Reefer Containers

9th April 2020 by Almar Container Group

Do you worry about who is looking after your business’ assets during lockdown? Almar has installed remote monitoring modems in approximately 130 reefers (refrigerated containers) in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Saudi to do just that. The modem measures, manages, optimises and sustains operational performance of reefers, thereby, protecting your goods against possible loss.

Pioneers of this sophisticated tracking and reporting system, Almar Container Group is able to monitor unusual cold chain activity on customers’ reefers on a real time basis.

“We have been testing and refining the system in the field for two years in order to optimise it for domestic use. If I pick up a false or unusual trend in temperature or humidity, I alert the customer immediately,’’ explains Mike Leppan, reefer technician for Almar. “This could, and has, saved many of our customers from their perishable product being compromised.”

Although not yet a service offered to the customer, Almar does behind the scenes tracking on many of their reefers with the aim of installing it on their whole reefer fleet in time to come.

The remote monitoring modem in the reefer monitors every event that takes place; from its location in the depot, to when it moves out of the ‘known location’ to the ‘new location’ at the lessee or sub-lessee’s premises, and most importantly it’s setpoint temperature. The data is unbiased and cannot be manipulated.

“I can analyse all activities, and because I understand the customers’ unique requirements, I am able to warn them if I believe the activity is detrimental to their product,” says Mike.

“The other benefit is remote assistance. I am able to manually defrost and on request I can reset temperatures for clients. I can run advanced diagnostics in the event of technical problems. This could save the cost of a technician being called out. As long as the unit is switched on and in range of a GSM (global system for mobile communication) network, we can monitor and work remotely on the unit.”

“The peace of mind and the added support which the world class tracking and monitoring system provides is unparalleled in the domestic container industry. “It is the first of its kind to be actively used in the Southern African domestic leasing fleets’’ concludes Mike.

Almar’s Reefers for Sale or Rent

Almar’s wide range of refrigerated containers offer an instant, secure cold room facility, for either chilled or frozen products and are offered on a rental or outright purchase basis.

Almar Reefer Containers keep perishable goods at the perfect temperature, in any environment. For more information contact Dave Williams on 031 561 6767 or email dave@almar.co.za, or for technical queries contact Mike Leppan on 082 570 0345 or email mike@almar.co.za.

Sub-Saharan Africa Need Mobile Clinics to cope with COVID-19

12th January 20228th April 2020 by Almar Container Group

In Sub-Saharan Africa, mobile clinics are needed for the testing of COVID-19 and then possibly for isolating and treating patients. Almar Kenya is expecting a spike in the demand for container units converted into mobile clinics to cope with the pandemic.

According to CNB Africa, in Sub-Saharan Africa, there are genuine fears over how health systems will cope. Most are ill-prepared and ill-equipped to implement public health measures such as surveillance, exhaustive contact tracing, social distancing, travel restrictions and educating the public on hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.

“These are the basic steps that will delay the spread of infection and relieve pressure on hospitals, even as support is sought for costlier solutions such as personal protective equipment, ventilators, oxygen and testing kits.
For countries in Africa and other areas where health resources are limited, a little-understood pandemic such as COVID-19 is a challenge that requires a whole-of-society response.
Countries in Africa must also take the fight to the pandemic through simple but effective measures for detecting, testing, isolating and mobilizing their people to mitigate transmission.”
– CNB Africa.

Almar Kenya can provide container clinics on a temporary basis to help with testing. These clinics will be required as temporary isolation or treatment units when the need arises. Converted containers can also provide temporary housing which could be a reality as, according to World Bank data, there are 645 million people living in rural areas in sub-Saharan Africa. It is very difficult to the practice social distancing when living in homes in such close proximity to each other.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that rural communities create plans to deal with any outbreak and emphasised the importance of isolation for anyone showing symptoms of the disease.

That means being vigilant and acting fast if anyone shows symptoms. Given the conditions in rural areas, and how quickly the disease has spread elsewhere, it also means bracing for the possibility that if someone in the community tests positive, “the whole community may be infected”.

Relocation plans could become a reality throughout Africa as they are already underway in South Africa. An article in Accounting Weekly stated, “Entire townships in the Western Cape, Gauteng, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are to be moved to safe zones in a bid to halt the spread of the coronavirus. It is a plan to de-congest extremely dense informal settlements to prevent infection rates. In the Western Cape alone, thousands of residents from two informal settlements in Khayelitsha are to be temporarily removed. The communities of Taiwan as well as eNkanini informal settlements have been notified of the plans to have them evacuated from their homes. According to SA’s National Department of Human Settlements spokesperson, McIntosh Polela, these plans were already at an advanced stage.

For more information on mobile container clinics or temporary container housing solutions, please contact Guy Symondson at guy@almar.co.ke or phone 254 713 624 958.

References:

https://www.cnbcafrica.com/coronavirus/2020/03/22/opinion-piece-with-simple-fact-informed-hygiene-measures-africa-can-slow-covid-19-spread/

https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/03/1059812

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/mar/19/community-infections-could-happen-any-time-kenya-prepares-for-covid-19-coronavirus

https://accountingweekly.com/mass-evacuation-of-sa-townships-on-the-cards-to-stop-spread-of-coronavirus/

Ethanol Storage and Other Bulk Liquid Storage

21st October 202220th March 2020 by Almar Container Group

The storage and transportation of ethanol and liquid waste has spiked over the past six months due to two main factors; the ban of liquid waste with a moisture value >40% going to landfill and the increased demand for ethanol storage. Ethanol is the main ingredient in the manufacturing of hand sanitiser.

Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus (Covid 19), the demand for hand sanitisers in India is up by 400% while distillers in Scotland are using their experience with alcohol production to turn their hands to making sanitisers.

It is no different in South Africa where Almar Container Group are getting calls for the renting of ISO Tank Containers, known as ISOtainers, for the storage of ethanol to cope with the overwhelming demand for hand sanitisers.

ISOtainers are multimodal containers used for ethanol storage and the storage of other bulk liquids. They are internationally approved, meet global safety standards and are inspected before and after each use.

These bulk storage containers have the capacity to carry over 26 000 litres of liquid which has significant advantages over traditional 44 gallon drums or IBCs (Intermediate Bulk Containers) which requires substantial manpower to unload, fill, seal and load for transportation and, depending on the liquid being stored, are often single use.

IBCs store between 200 and 1 250 litres versus ISOtainers’ 21 000 to 26 000 litres reducing the manpower needed to fill the ISO Tanks which minimises handling of the product by staff – a priority in reducing the spread of infection or exposure to hazardous waste.

ISOtainers are built to last and have an estimated lifespan of 20 – 30 years. This means that they can be reused numerous times to store bulk liquids such as ethanol which reduces costly environmental packaging waste.

These bulk liquid storage containers are stackable and with maximising space, time and budget being a priority, ISOtainers on lease are the ultimate solution.

Renting the container means that stock can be increased or decreased depending on demand for the storage of ethanol or other liquids. Almar’s trained technicians take care of all the technical or maintenance requirements during the course of the lease, allowing the customer to focus on their core business.

Over and above ethanol and liquid waste storage, ISOtainers are configurable and can be built to safely carry a huge variety of loads, such as: alcoholic beverages, food products, hydrogen peroxide, mining chemicals, nitric acid, oils, resins, solvents, sulphuric acid and more.

Should you need to store ethanol, liquid waste or any of above in bulk, please contact Wesley Turk from Almar Container Group on 031 561 6767 or email wesley@almar.co.za

Background information:

The ISO Tank Container, also known as portable tank, tank container, ISOtainer, tanktainer, bulk storage container, or intermodal tank, are used for the storage and transportation of hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals, foodstuffs, and liquefied gases. An ISOtainer is a cylindrical vessel, made of 316 grade stainless steel, with a maximum carbon content of 0.03%. It has a cold rolled shell 2B finish, with a 4.3mm thickness (+0.22 mm corrosion allowance).

In the 1960s, containers became the preferred way of shipping goods around the world. The appeal was that every container conformed to sizes defined by the International Standards Organisation (ISO), 40’ x 8’ x 8’6” or 20’ x 8’ x 8’6”. Before long the concept of fitting a cylinder inside the standard 20’ frame was adopted and the ISO Tank Container was born. ISOtainers became a standard for the storage and transportation of liquids (including fuel), chemicals, gases, powders, and even some types of food.

Reefer Containers: Everything You Need to Know

12th January 202213th February 2020 by Almar Container Group

What are reefer containers?

Refrigerated containers, known as reefers, keep fresh produce, perishable items, medicines, anatomical waste and beverages cold or frozen. These 20ft (6m) and 40ft (12m) containers are 2.4m wide and run on three phase (380 – 460v) power and can keep the contents at a consistent temperature ranging between -25°C and +25°C. Temperature can be adjusted and controlled to within 0.3°C of required set point.

How do reefer containers work?

Reefer containers are bottom air delivery units designed to distribute chilled air from the floor, via specific T-shaped decking, with the advantage of producing a consistent and uniform flow of air across the entire container, powerful enough to ensure a perfect air exchange with the goods.

Although not necessary, storing produce on pallets in reefers assists with stacking, loading and offloading. Nine pallets fit into a 20ft container while 20 pallets fit into a 40ft container.

How are reefer containers powered?

Each container is supplied with a length of power cable between 10 and 15m long (4 core, 4mm2 cable) and a standard marine grade IP65 rated CEE 17 plug with a 3’Clock earth pin. The electrical point required is a CEE 17 coupler with 3’Clock earth with a 32A D curve circuit breaker to protect the cable / electrical components. Alternatively, remove the C17 plug completely and wire directly into a 32A ‘D’ curve circuit breaker. NB – it requires a ‘D’ curve circuit breaker or motor start breaker. An industrial light start breaker will breakdown and cause single phasing and power supply problems. Reefers require a 3 Phase plus Earth connection – no Neutral is required.

It is important to note that a reefer cannot freeze unfrozen products. Reefers are holding freezers and will maintain the products temperature. The produce needs to be at the required temperature when packed into the reefers.

How easily available are reefer containers?

Reefers are available from Almar Container Group for short and long term rental. Dependent on the location, Almar reefers are rented on a fully supported basis with 24/7 technical support. Almar can assist with technical on-site installation of the reefers should this be required and technical support contact details are placed on all our refrigerated containers should you need to get hold of a technician.

Are reefers cost effective?

With permanent cold storage facilities you can face high costs and issues with accessibility. Chances are that your cold storage facility won’t be near the place your products need to be transported to. Hence, you’re going to end up having to organise regular transportation, which will lead to spending even more.

A reefer is also much faster to obtain than constructing bulk cold storage. With a reefer, you can have the cold storage you need immediately.

Renting a reefer container from Almar means no additional expenses such as service costs, or expensive repair costs in the event of a mechanical breakdown. Almar takes the risk and covers all these costs.

Are reefers energy efficient?

Reefers are energy efficient. All Almar containers for rent are Carrier – a world-leading brand in container refrigeration. Their optimised assembly reduces power consumption but not airflow.

For minimal environmental impact, R-134a freon of the Carrier has a significantly lower atmospheric life and GWP (Global Warming Potential) than R-404A.

What is the cooling capacity of a reefer?

Temperature	Watts	Btu/hr
2°C (35°F)	12,000	40,900
-18°C (0°F)	6,600	22,500
-29°C (-20°F)	4,400	15,000

What are the installation requirements of a reefer?

The site needs to be level and built from a suitable material that will prevent the container sinking into the ground. Make sure that the front and back of the unit is level and the doors are square. A slight fall towards the door end will facilitate the cleaning of the interior. This fall should be around 3 to 4 degrees.

How can I maintain a reefer?

The following basic steps can be taken to keep your refrigerated container in good working order:

Daily:

Keep a twice daily record of the temperature on the control panel to ensure any variations are noted. Ensure the container is switched to a manual defrost cycle before entering the container.

Monthly:

Ensure that no ice build-up is allowed to develop within the container, especially on the floor area and within the T-Bar flooring, as this may disrupt the airflow within the container and cause temperature fluctuations. A complete clean out and removal of ice may be called for.

Almar offers fully supported rental agreements, so we take care of the regular servicing, allowing you to focus on your core business.

Client uses of reefer containers:

According to Dave Williams of Almar Container Group, October, November and December is referred to in the industry as ‘reefer season’. This is because retailers need to stock up on additional fresh and frozen produce and renting temporary storage on their premises is the ideal solution. Outdoor events and festivals which require temporary dry and refrigerated storage also spike over these three months.

During ‘reefer season’ in South Africa, Almar Container Group supplied reefer containers to Rocking the Daisies, The BMW M Festival, The 9 hour endurance race at Kyalami, The Nedbank Golf Challenge and Corona Sunset Festivals to name a few. This saw a 48% percentage increase in reefer rentals for this three month period.

The Nedbank Golf Challenge, one of the highlights on the South African sporting calendar, make use of reefers for the tournament which forms part of the European Tour. They rent up to 30 Almar reefers for the four day event held in November at Sun City, which attracts over 60 000 spectators. The reefers keep their stock cold, secure and at their fingertips for the duration of the tournament.

The Saudi Government organises one of the biggest entertainment events in the region called Dairiyah Seasons which runs for a month from the end of November to the end of December. The event attracts renowned global artists and entertainers with the venue extending over 130 000 square meters and attracting over one million visitors. Almar Saudi supplied a combination of 59 dry and reefer containers on a rental basis for this epic event.

Almar’s wide range of refrigerated containers provide a versatile and cost effective alternative to typical cold storage solutions. Not only do refrigerated containers offer an instant secure cold room facility, for either chilled or frozen products, but they are also offered on a rental or outright purchase basis.

Almar Reefer Containers keep your perishable goods at the perfect temperature, in any environment. For more information contact Almar on 031 561 6767 or email dave@almar.co.za.

What are the benefits of reefer containers?

Refrigerated containers are an easy way to increase your storage volume and offer many advantages which include the following:

Single installation – containers are modular and can be placed just about anywhere level, with a true ‘plug and play’ installation.
Modular – containers are standard sizes and their modular ability allows for rooms to be added and removed during seasonal capacity requirements.
Hygienic food grade interiors – all containers have high-grade stainless steel interiors, which are easy to clean.
Robust machinery – Almar use the latest Carrier Reefer Containers which is the industry standard. Carrier supply the world’s shipping lines with almost 80% of all Reefers. They are reliable and robust with machinery built to withstand the harshest conditions.
Mobile – the containers are designed for intermodal transport and therefore can be uplifted and moved very easily.
Chilled and deep frozen product – containers allow for temperature ranges between -25°C and +25°C.
Dehumidification Control – allows certain reefer models to maintain between 60% and 90% relative humidity in the unit. This is an added advantage for clients with very specific humidity / temperature requirements for perishable cargoes.
Accurate temperature maintenance – containers can monitor and track temperatures ranging within 0.3°C.
T-Bar flooring – ensures efficient airflow when containers are fully loaded.
Digital temperature display – allows for easy temperature monitoring and adjustment.
Simple operation – Reefer containers are a ‘plug and play’ cold storage solution, provided with operational guides and basic training if required.
Service – a 24/7 helpline in the event of technical problems or breakdowns.