Major Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corporation is set to introduce new container technology that keeps perishable food fresh for a longer time. The innovation is timely as many shipping firms are taking lengthy diversions to avoid the Red Sea due to attacks on vessels.

The technology creates an electric field inside temperature-controlled containers, causing water molecules in the food to move which slows down the process of decay.

Sumitomo says transportation times will be doubled or even tripled for many foodstuffs. A major Japanese meat packer has decided to use the new service to import pork from Spain.

Sumitomo plans to tie up with Hong Kong-based shipping firm Orient Overseas Container Line for what it says is the world’s first commercial application of the technology.

The Japanese company also says the service can help curb rising shipping costs.

Source: NHK World – Japan. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20240219_10/.  25 February 2024.