Ambient (warm) loading of citrus fruit into refrigerated
containers (reefer) for cooling during marine transport can serve
as an alternative for well-established forced-air pre-cooling (FAC)
of produce, either inland or at the harbour, prior to shipping
overseas (Defraeye et al., 2015; Heap, 2006; Thompson, 2004). It is
also frequently used for banana fruit (Jedermann et al., 2014, 2013).
Ambient loading differs strongly from FAC (Fig. 1) as it implies
vertical airflow, much lower airflow rates and a lower installed
cooling capacity, which are prescribed by the refrigerated
container type. This cold-chain strategy is of interest if FAC
facilities are not available (e.g., in some developing countries) or if