Because the distance between farm and plant is short, this leg is often left out of the plan; yet the time is not half an hour but the whole span from the start of harvest to arrival at the plant. The first container filled at the pond waits until the last one is loaded, and that wait is often longer than the drive.
The fix is usually in the order of work rather than the vehicle: the lid closes the moment fish goes in, the container moves into shade, and containers are loaded in the order they fill. The Turkish regulation requires fresh fish to be kept at a temperature close to that of melting ice (Article 51) and containers for fish kept under ice to stop meltwater touching the product (Article 50).
The second requirement decides the choice of container. On the GEBHARDT TBX 1000 Seafood an integrated tray collects 24 litres of meltwater and drains through an outlet at the back; on the TBX 725 and 795 an 18-litre stainless tray is fitted as an accessory. At the plant gate the core temperature of every batch is measured: if it is above target, the problem lies in the harvest and waiting routine, not at the plant.
