Solution found for keeping food chilled on extended ferry crossings

A novel battery system that powers a refrigeration unit on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans when the engine is turned off has ensured chilled food is delivered to the Isle of Wight with no increase in temperature.

Convenience food producer Greencore has praised Carrier Transicold, Clayton Power and van fleet provider Petit Forestier for their approach to a unique problem it experienced when making ferry crossings from Southampton.

Its 3.5-tonne vehicles are required to turn off their engines while on the ferry, which poses no problem unless the vessels are delayed in rough or foggy conditions.

In response, Clayton Power developed an autonomous battery system that can power the refrigeration unit for an extended period of time.

Carrier Transicold modified a Xarios 350 unit that switches between direct-drive power and the new 230v Clayton system, housed beneath the passenger seat.

When not in use, the battery recharges directly from the van’s alternator when the engine is running, or via mains power when hooked up to the grid.

Ben Martin, Greencore network and transport director, said: “This isn’t a new problem, but we have been waiting for the technology to be available to provide a workable solution – and what we’ve got now is fantastic.

“We took delivery of a trial vehicle in the summer, coincidentally on the hottest day of the year – so it was instantly put to the toughest of tests.

“When we switched to battery power, we had to ensure it could maintain the set point, which it did without breaking a sweat – which is less than could be said for our driver!”

Greencore now has three adapted Sprinters operating from its Southampton depot, delivering chilled convenience food along the south coast and the Isle of Wight.