Release note for Star Cool controller software 0357 rev 03

The key changes that have been implemented in software version 0357_03 are listed below:

Alarm strategy changes

New alarms: 202, 206, 658, 666, 780, 803, 819, 828, 852.
Removed alarms: 250, 621, 864, 898, 900.
Updated alarms: 146, 429 (U/F ratio).
Failed temperature sensors are verified during power up and alarms are kept/deactivated. Please refer to the Service Portal or Star Cool App for alarm descriptions and troubleshooting.

2. Defrost changes

The ice counter model is optimized in Frozen mode.
Too long defrost was observed when running Cold Treatment, which caused the Cold
Treatment to fail (restart), an improvement has been made to run defrosts more often when CT is running (requires USDA sensors to be mounted).
The defrost key automatically chooses the most applicable defrost, the selectable needs to be done from the menu structure.

3.CA

Low oil level detection in the vacuum pump has been implemented during PTI.
When there are jumps in the O2 & CO2 sensor readings, the sensor will restart, freeze and recheck the value. If not stable, alarm 310 CO2 sensor and/or alarm 313 for O2 sensor will be activated.
It has been observed on some O2 sensors that the 5 minutes heating up time was not sufficient, therefore the counting down timer is replaced with the display text warming up during starting up.
It is now possible to enter/reset the run time counter in the controller, Service menu line S08, when the vacuum pump oil and filter have been changed.
The vacuum pump pressure values are now also available in PSI.

Data logging/Modem

Average Tsup and Tret logged correctly in battery mode at power off. Alarm 146 is visible in datalog as a log alarm (no alarm light active).
MCI modem (gateway) support menu added in the Service menu, line S09 Modem:

W02 Modem Sw ver
W03 Modem HW ver
W04 Last connected
W05 Geofence ver
W06 Network list

4. StarConomy

Container prefixes are configured with the StarConomy default set to on or off according to the customer specification after software update.

5. Display text

Star Cool logo in the start-up display has been updated.
It has been observed that on some user panels with earlier controller software, that Tset is unable to be set lower than -3°C. This is now corrected.
FC firmware update 1.10 has been added enabling the FC to do a self-test. The FC self-test can be selected and executed in the Service menu, line S01 Manual operation, M11 FC selftest:

J01 Start self-test
J02 Last run date
J03 Last run time
J04 Status
J05 Result
J06 Start deny reason
J07 Failure code

6. PTI/CA/ACT

The 0°C step is removed in PTI and the +13°C step is removed in the CA PTI. Defrost will only be carried out in the -18°C step if needed.
PTI execution time optimized if LPM200 (power meas) is mounted.
Vacuum pump oil level check during PTI, if ambient temperature is above +10°C. Updated the expansion valve test during ITI and Function test (FT).
Updated temperature sensor test step 2100. USDA sensor calibration limits now ±0.3°C.

7. Star View

Please note it is necessary to update the StarView program to the latest version, in order to be able to read all the events and alarms, otherwise it will show “unknown” with the event/alarm number in the log. Updating the program can be done by opening your StarView program and clicking on “Help”. Here your will find “Check for updates”. Click on this and the latest version 3.22.263.0 will be installed.

The latest version includes:

Reading of newly implemented alarms in the controller software 357. Updates in the USDA sensor calibration steps and CT reports.
Updates to the graph view.

The latest controller SW can be downloaded by clicking here.

The latest SW release note can be downloaded by clicking here.

If you have any questions, please contact your Star Cool Service manager or send an email to: service@starcool.com

Maersk container ship suffers engine room fire

A Maersk vessel en-route to South Africa has suffered a major engine room fire that has disabled the vessel some 220 nautical miles off the coast of Guadaloupe, in the Caribbean Sea.

An engine room fire has disabled the Maersk Vilnius in the Caribbean Sea.

A Maersk Line statement confirmed that the 1,800TEU Maersk Vilnius had suffered damage as a result of fire on 26 April, but the company said that all crew were safe, and the fire has been extinguished. There was no reported pollution as a result of the accident.

The Singapore flagged ship was travelling to Port Elizabeth in South Africa from Freeport in the Bahamas when the fire occurred.

“The vessel remains at sea in a safe area. Required firefighting measures were promptly deployed by vessel’s crew and fire has been extinguished. Vessel power has been restored, including the power to reefer units on board,” said Maersk.

The company added that the extent of the damage to the vessel is being assessed.

“Potential repair options and cargo contingency are being evaluated at available ports. The safety and health of our people is our main priority and we are cooperating fully with the French Coast Guard,” added the Danish operator.

Maersk launches weekly rail service from China to Turkey

Maersk says weekly rail service from China to Turkey offers faster transit times than the traditional sea route.

Maersk has announced the commencement of its new rail express service from Xi’an, China to Izmit, Turkey, the service is part of the Maersk Intercontinental Rail (ICR) network and is set for weekly departures on each Tuesday subject to utilisation levels.

The new route provides customers with a transit time of up to 16 days with multiple drop-off locations, according to the Danish company. Maersk targets the customers within automotive, technology commodities, textile as well as lifestyle industries.

Kasper Krog: Three years after launching the ICR service demand in China and Europe has increased

The Danish shipping giant says this new route will offer shorter transit times when compared to ocean transits, provide customers with wide network options connecting main locations in China and Turkey with a diverse range of connections in both wider China and Southern European destinations.

“Due to its strategic geographical location, wide industry sector as well as all ambitious initiatives taken by the government to improve the rail infrastructure across the country, we decided to launch ICR in Turkey not only for those companies located within the country but also as a link between Asia and Europe”, commented Kasper Krog, Head of Intercontinental Rail at AP Møller – Maersk.

Maersk adds that due to a well-connected rail system across the country ICR offers connections to Black Sea, Eastern Europe and Southern European countries via the port of Korfez in Izmit, by using Maersk’s feeder network operated by its subsidiary, Sealand.

Maersk delivers Refrigerated Containers to South Africa

Cape Town, April 28, 2020 --

The containers have departed Jebel Ali last weekend and are expected to arrive in Durban early May to be distributed among Maersk and Safmarine customers.

 

Reefer containers are currently scarce in South Africa due to the imbalance in trade flows, which has been impacted by the lockdown in China in Q1 and the expected stronger demand for South African fruit. 
“Knowing the importance of the upcoming export season to our customers as well as the South African economy, Maersk remains committed to serve our South African reefer customers ensuring their fresh citrus continues to be delivered globally.” says Jonathan Horn, Managing Director for Maersk Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Islands. “We will continue to support South African companies, industry and producers with viable solutions to work through the current challenging scenario to keep their goods moving,” he adds.

Maersk offer multiple solutions to customers in South Africa such as Phytosanitary Certification, customs house brokerage, cold storage and a comprehensive array of inland haulage solutions. Maersk’s vast array of digital offerings allows customers to continue their business online and to track goods worldwide using the company’s app.

Since February, Maersk has developed several global solutions for customers to work through the current challenging trade scenario. They include providing alternative sea and land routes, terminals, cold-storage depots in China and Russia, extra trucking services, rail services support and daily advisories, updating customers worldwide on how to keep their goods moving. 

About Maersk

A.P. Moller - Maersk is an integrated container logistics company working to connect and simplify its customers’ supply chains. As the global leader in shipping services, we operate in 130 countries and employ roughly 76,000 people. Our mission is to enable and facilitate global supply chains and provide opportunities for our customers to trade globally.

Hapag-Lloyd halves carbon emissions

Hapag-Lloyd has achieved a cut to its CO2 emissions (per TEU/kilometre) by 50% in the 2019 financial year, compared to the previous year, according to its 2019 sustainability report.

“In 2019, we succeeded in making a lot of progress in all dimensions,” commented CEO Rolf Habben Jansen. “For example, we further reduced our specific CO2 emissions, strengthened our social commitment and made huge investments in the quality of our service.”

Hapag-Lloyd claimed it will support the International Maritime Organization (IMO) vision for further decarbonisation of ocean-going shipping, being the first shipping company to start converting a large container ship to operate using a more climate-friendly liquid natural gas (LNG) propulsion system. The Hamburg-based company expects that the conversion work on the container vessel “Sajir” to commence in the fourth quarter of 2020.

CMA CGM has also invested in LNG-powered fleet. In September 2019, the French shipping firm announced the launching of the first 23,000TEU ship from a mega-order of nine LNG-powered container vessels.

However, there are many industry voices that are fighting LNG use, as they believe that some LNG-fuelled vessels will suffer from methane slip, where the potent global warming gas is released into the atmosphere through the exhaust.

Hapag-Lloyd also mentioned in its report that it has been well-prepared for the new IMO2020 regulations, that have been in force since 1 January 2020. The German carrier has made all the necessary conversions to its fleet with approximately 95% of its vessels operating on low-sulphur fuel oils, which emit over 70% less sulphur oxides than the heavy fuel oil.

Introducing the MOL COILPORTER®, a Differentiated Product for NVOCC Business - Next-generation Cradle in Steel Coil Container Transport

Rolled steel coils will transported more safely with the MOL designed Coilporter.

MOL Logistics, the non-vessel owning common carrier (NVOCC) unit of Japanese shipping group Mitsui OSK Lines, has launched a proprietary lashing product to better secure steel coils that are transported in containers.

Launching MOL Coilporter, which was jointly developed between MOL Logistics and MOL Techno-Trade, is part of MOL’s wider strategy to expand its NVOCC business.

Customers of MOL Logistics, MOL’s short-sea general cargo shipping unit, Mitsui OSK Kinkai and associated logistics provider Utoc Corporation, had requested solutions to ensure safer containerised transport of steel coils, an essential material for the automobile manufacturing and other industries.

Comparing MOL Coilporter with conventional lashings which take up to an hour to assemble, the product can be fixed to the cargoes in three minutes.

Cushioned for protection Coilporter is offers rapid as well asa safe packing.

While the square timbers of conventional lashings are in direct contact with coils, subjecting the cargo to risk of damage, MOL Coilporter is made with Eperan, a foamed polyethylene product developed by Kaneka Corporation. Eperan has strong cushioning properties, resiliency and is lightweight.

Unlike conventional lashings, which involve using special equipment to load the cargoes into the inner depths of the container, MOL Coilporter can be pushed into the container without needing special equipment.

The unloading process is also simpler as the cargo can be pulled out from the container, while conventionally lashed cargoes need special equipment to be removed from deep inside the container. The system has been patented in Japan, with several other patents pending.

The MOL group is expanding its NVOCC business under the group’s unified brand MOL Worldwide Logistics (MWL).

In May 2020, MOL Logistics will commence service using MOL Coilporter as a differentiated product as part of its door-to-door NVOCC service.

Rolled steel coils will transported more safely with the MOL designed Coilporter.

Besides shipments on the NVOCC service, pan-Japanese container liner operator Ocean Network Express (ONE), in which MOL has a 31% stake, will also use MOL Coilporter to transport steel coils, following some trial shipments.

Video of MOL COILPORTER®]

Please refer to MOL's official YouTube channel for details on the MOL COILPORTER®.
(https://youtu.be/aIUeN6wEljQ)

Martina Li
Asia Correspondent

Crowley Adds More than 200 New Refrigerated Containers to Keep Perishables Moving Through the Cold Chain

Crowley Logistics has added 222 new refrigerated (reefer) cargo containers to its industry-leading equipment fleet to ensure equipment availability at origin for perishables moving through the cold chain. These units are in addition to 300 new reefers received in January of this year.

The new units, which are all 40-foot-long high cubes, are built to Crowley’s exacting standards and further demonstrate the company’s focus on offering customers the most reliable and efficient equipment in the Central America and Caribbean markets. These units have wireless asset monitoring (WAM) technology, which provides continuous monitoring as the reefers transit from origin to destination, both at sea and over land, to ensure the cold chain is maintained the entire time goods are moving.

“The acquisition of these containers is part of our continued commitment to provide the best equipment in the right quantities – all strategically positioned to meet customers’  needs during peak season and throughout the rest of the year,” said Steve Collar, senior vice president and general manager, Crowley Logistics.

Crowley’s industry-leading equipment, combined with grower and farm services such as load planning and equipment sanitization, make Crowley a trusted partner for perishables shippers.  In addition to providing in-transit services such as location and temperature monitoring, the company offers customs clearance, fumigation options, refrigerated storage and last-mile delivery to ensure quality through single-source accountability.

The containers arrived in Santo Tomas, Guatemala this month and are already being used in support of Central America’s continuing heavy northbound reefer season. The new containers are equipped with environmentally friendly Star Cool refrigeration units, incorporating several changes to further boost efficiency and reliability.

Since 2014, Crowley has invested roughly $160 million in new cargo equipment for its fleet. Today, the company operates over 50,000 pieces of owned and leased intermodal equipment. The equipment’s diverse sizes and strategic locations throughout the U.S, Central America and the Caribbean provide customers a variety of solutions to meet demands.