Carrier Refrigeration

ContainerLINE March 2017 | Refrigerants The amendment to the 1987 Montreal Protocol was signed in Kigali, Rwanda, and establishes timelines and phasedown targets starting in 2019. The "Kigali accord" is significant because it is a binding agreement with international scope, unlike the region-specific F-gas regulation in the European Union and the United States' Significant New Alternatives Policy, which also aim to reduce HFC use. Those engaged in refrigerated storage and transport, including the container shipping industry, may be wondering how the amendment might ultimately impact their business. "While the Kigali accord provides time for the industry to respond, it's important to remember that refrigerated containers generally represent a 15-year investment for shipping lines," says Jon Shaw, director, Global Communications & Sustainability, Carrier Transicold & Refrigeration Systems. "Many of the refrigeration units purchased now will still be in service in the 2030s. By 2036, the United States and members of the European Union, which have an accelerated track under the Kigali agreement, will have reduced production and consumption of HFCs by 85 percent of the base year levels. HFC Refrigerant Phasedown and the Kigali Accord " Forward-thinking shipping lines should consider investing now in container refrigeration systems that will help them to avoid future issues related to the phasedown of HFC refrigerants." In the fourth quarter of 2016, nearly 200 countries forged a landmark agreement to reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) commonly used in refrigeration systems, with the goal of preventing up to 0.5 degrees Celsius of global warming by the end of the century. Carrier Refrigerant Management Excellence, also known as CareMAX ™ , continues to expand with a growing number of authorized service providers demonstrating their commitment to its strict refrigerant management protocols. With the latest group of service providers to achieve CareMAX program recognition, the number of recognized service providers has more than doubled. The CareMAX program addresses all post-production stages of refrigerant handling, including training of service technicians who handle refrigerants. It sets the bar high on procedural standards and documentation so as to help prevent improper refrigerant from entering the service channel. Established by Carrier Transicold in response to industry issues related to refrigerant contamination and counterfeiting that occurred several years ago, it remains the only program of its kind from a container refrigeration equipment provider. "Our staff put in a lot of effort to ensure that our procedures are maintained and followed," said Ashok Menon, owner of JPC Reefer Services, which has achieved CareMAX program recognition at four of its locations in the Oceania region. "Having an outside party like Carrier offering the initiative, the guidelines and the auditing process gives our staff the confidence that their safety is being looked after." On the other side of the Pacific, Menon's views were echoed by Andrea Cuervo, owner and general manager, Olinsa SAS in Colombia, where all four of the service center's facilities recently achieved CareMAX program recognition. "Our clients and equipment owners are more confident," she said. "Our services are rendered under transparent and responsible protocols in a standardized and consistent manner, using trained technicians for refrigerant handling everywhere Olinsa is located." More CareMAX ™ Service Centers 6

• Cover