1. Context: Year-End = Vessel Delays, Port Congestion, and Longer Transit Times

Every Q4, the following pattern repeats across global shipping routes:

• Congestion at major transshipment hubs (Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai)

• Transit times extended by 5–12 days

• Shortage of empty reefer containers

• Frequent vessel rollovers and schedule cancellations

For fresh produce—especially high-respiration tropical fruits—an additional 7–10 days waiting at port dramatically increases:

• ripening speed,
• ethylene accumulation,
• softening and water loss,
• fungal and bacterial infection,

leading to quality downgrade, price loss, or shipment rejection at destination.

This forces exporters into a passive position, entirely dependent on vessel schedules.

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2. Why Does Produce Deteriorate Faster During Port Delays? – Scientific Explanation

After harvest, fruits continue respiring, releasing:

• CO₂
• heat
• ethylene

This accelerates ripening and senescence.

In a conventional refrigerated container (reefer):

• Temperature is controlled
• But O₂ levels remain high (≈21%)
• Therefore respiration continues at a high rate

High O₂ + ethylene accumulation = exponential increase in ripening speed.

This explains why fruits still:

• yellow,
• soften,
• develop stem-end rot,
• or experience fungal growth,

even when stored cold.

➡ Refrigeration alone cannot slow respiration.

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3. Nitrogen Injection (MA) Inside Containers:

A Direct and Immediate Respiration-Control Solution**

Injecting Nitrogen (N₂) into containers creates a Modified Atmosphere (MA), which:

• Lowers O₂ levels → slows respiration

• Reduces ethylene accumulation → slows ripening

• Suppresses bacteria and fungi

• Stabilizes the physiological state of the fruit

Scientific mechanism:

• Reducing O₂ from 21% → 3–5%
• Respiration rate decreases 30–60%
• Ethylene production drops significantly
• Pathogen activity slows

➡ Extends fruit shelf life by 5–12 days – perfect for port delays, rollover schedules, and long transshipment.

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4. Strategic Benefits for Exporters

4.1. Reduced risk during vessel delays

Fruits maintain quality even with 3–7 days of additional waiting time.

4.2. Higher export-grade retention

Minimizes defects like softening, yellowing, and rot—common causes of rejection.

4.3. Less dependence on shipping schedules

Businesses remain stable even when vessels are cancelled or rescheduled.

4.4. Lower economic loss

A 40ft reefer normally loses 3–8% value during port delays;
with MA/N₂ → loss <1–2%.

4.5. Chemical-free compliance

Nitrogen is food-safe and accepted in EU, US, Japan phytosanitary standards.

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5. CASS Nitrogen Injection Procedure:

Applying CA Technology to Containers**

CASS applies a professional MA workflow derived from Controlled Atmosphere (CA) standards:

Step 1 – Pre-inspection of the container

• air tightness
• gasket quality
• ventilation settings
• temperature performance

Step 2 – Gas adjustment

• Reduce O₂ to 3–5%
• Increase N₂ to 90–96%

Step 3 – Vent sealing for MA retention

Ensures atmosphere stability during waiting time.

Step 4 – Re-measure and stabilize

Verify gas composition after 15–30 minutes.

Step 5 – Optional monitoring

CASS provides periodic gas/temperature checks depending on service package.

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6. When Should Exporters Use Nitrogen MA Treatment?

Recommended in situations such as:

• Peak season (Nov–Feb)
• Shipments via transshipment hubs
• Produce with high respiration rates: mango, avocado, longan, durian, dragon fruit
• High-value exports requiring near-zero risk
• Expected vessel rollover or long dwell time at port

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7. Comparison: Traditional Reefer vs. Nitrogen MA Container

Criteria	Standard Refrigerated Container	Container with Nitrogen (MA)
Respiration rate	High	Reduced 30–60%
Ethylene	Builds up quickly	Significantly reduced
Pathogen growth	Active	Suppressed
Risk during delays	High	Low
Delay endurance	1–3 days	5–12 days

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Conclusion: Gas Technology Is the Safety Net for Modern Export Logistics

In a highly volatile global supply chain, exporters cannot rely solely on stable vessel schedules.

Nitrogen-based Modified Atmosphere (MA) provides a practical, science-backed solution for:

• maintaining fruit quality during delays,
• reducing economic losses,
• protecting export value,
• and increasing supply chain resilience.

In fresh produce logistics, controlling the atmosphere is not just about preserving fruit—it is about preserving profit, stability, and market trust.

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CÔNG TY TNHH BẢO QUẢN RAU QUẢ CASS

• Hotline/Zalo: 0931790829 – 0931780829
• Email: cass@cass.vn
• Website: cass.vn
• Fanpage: CASS – Kho bảo quản nông sản tươi bằng công nghệ CA
• Địa chỉ kho (trước sáp nhập): Lô F5, Đường số 6, KCN Hoà Bình, Huyện Thủ Thừa, Tỉnh Long An
• Địa chỉ kho (sau sáp nhập): Lô F5, Đường số 6, KCN Hoà Bình, Xã Thủ Thừa, Tỉnh Tây Ninh