Alaska Marine Lines was able to move 852 containers of Bristol Bay sockeye harvest this year, thanks to new refrigerated containers that were sent in May to Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
The containers, which were revealed by the company on Sept. 8, are the latest in AML’s refrigerated operations. They feature temperature-controlled software that can vary the fan speed and control the compressors to match the conditions and current cooling demand.
That translates into a power draw one-fifth that of older containers. Less power required to run the reefers means fewer generators running, less fuel consumption and lower carbon emissions.
“In the Southeast (Alaska) lane alone the lower amp draws of the StarCool units have allowed us to transition from running four or five generators on the northbound sailings to only one generator running 70-plus reefers,” Steve Hardin, Director of Equipment & Maintenance at Alaska Marine Lines commented. “The savings in fuel and maintenance alone have been significant.”
According to Alaska Marine Lines Purchasing Manager Jay Marchand, the new containers are a vital link in the cold supply chain that helps get food to tables.
“These new containers are a commitment to AML’s customers to assure that Alaska’s seafood stays frozen and keeps moving,” he said.
“It took the efforts of a whole network of logistics professionals to make the purchase and delivery happen,” AML explained in a statement. “Thanks to Lynden’s diverse group of companies and experienced vendors, the containers traveled from factory floor to exporting port, and from chartered ship deck to awaiting barges in Western Alaska.”
The various companies that participated in the effort included:
Lynden Logistics provided in-country support at the point of export and customs clearance at the point of entry;
Alaska Marine Trucking provided stevedoring and crane professionals for the offloading;
Bering Marine, Dunlap Towing and Western Towboat moved the containers to the various seafood markets, and;
Alaska Marine Lines provided the many varied seafood services to its customers.
The containers are now at work moving seafood, groceries, and temperature-sensitive products. They join AML’s extensive fleet of dry vans, flats, tanks, and open-tops and are expected to serve customers for years to come, according to the company.
AML, along with Lynden Logistics is a subsidiary of transport company Lynden Inc.