Oil patch bits: Alaska Marine Lines adds reefers to ease supply chain

Petroleum News

As reported by Lynden News Sept. 8, Alaska Marine Lines’ new refrigerated containers enter service just in time. This year’s record Bristol Bay sockeye harvest is moving in the 852 containers that were delivered straight from the production line to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, in May.

The containers are the latest in efficient 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 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,” says Steve Hardin, director of equipment and maintenance at Alaska Marine Lines. “The savings in fuel and maintenance alone have been significant.”

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 will serve customers for many years to come.

Editor’s note: Some of these news items will appear in the next Arctic Oil & Gas Directory, a full color magazine that serves as a marketing tool for Petroleum News’ contracted advertisers. The next edition will be released in December.