Reefertransport

Help

1 How to get my reefer container ATO-certified?
- PROCEDURE A (most common for new containers):
  Arrange that one of the classification societies approved by ATO (eg. ABS or Bureau Veritas) carries out the ATO-tests on your new-built containers at the container manufacturing site. They will pass on the test results to ATO. Subsequently, if no permanent agreement has been established between you and ATO, ATO will send you an order form. After having received the signed order form ATO issues the certificate (if the ATO requirements are met). The ATO certificate is digitally sent to you (commissioning company) and the classification society.
  You can also find the ATO certificate on the home page of the reefertransport website.
  BGBB will then add your containers to www.flowerbulb.nl.
  
  PROCEDURE B (most common for containers which are in service already):
  Request ATO to carry out the tests on whatever container. ATO is prepared to travel anywhere in the world, but usually it's most attractive for the container owner to bring his/her container to Rotterdam (NLD) or Antwerp (BEL). ATO will send you an order form. After having received the signed order form ATO carries out the tests and issues the certificate (if the ATO requirements are met). ATO issues digital ATO-certificates to you (commissioning company) andBGBB (they will then add your containers to www.flowerbulb.nl). You can also find the ATO certificate on the home page of the reefertransport website.
2 What are the requirements for a container to obtain a certificate?
- An ATO-certified reefer container with the qualification 'good' has met the following minimum requirements:
  
  Fresh air exchange of empty container (at 380V/50Hz) at least 2.6 m3/h per m3 internal container volume.
  
  Air circulation inside empty container (at 380V/50Hz) at least 40 m3/h per m3 internal container volume.
  
  Height of T-bars in 40 feet containers at least 60 mm, in 20 feet containers at least 30 mm.
  
  Four drainholes in the corners.
3 Who is ATO and what can ATO mean for my company?
- ATO is too multidisciplinary to answer this question profoundly, if you are looking for a specific type of knowledge or research capacity please don't hesitate to contact us and we'll see what we can mean to you.
  Please feel free to visit our new website : to get an impression of our services most relevant to the world of refrigerated transport.
4 What is the objective of ATO-certification of reefer containers?
- The ATO-certification of reefer containers originates from the late '70s.
  The objective is to improve the quality preservation of flowerbulbs during shipment by means of checking the suitability of reefer containers for the transportation of flowerbulbs. ATO-certification primarily serves the interests of flowerbulb shippers, as it supports them in serving their customers optimally.
  ATO-certification is rewarded by reduced insurance fees for carriage of flowerbulbs in ATO-certified reefer containers.