TER AAR, 07/07/06 - Transport of flowers in ocean containers appears to become the future. The product stays fresh for 20 to 30 days in a special gel, according to Dutch company Flower Transport Gel (FTG).

FTG is meanwhile selling its patented product worldwide. "Soon the third container with flowers in gel will cross the ocean," according to FTG's Hans Vonk. He invented the gel five years ago.

After many trials, the gel now appears to enable all kinds of flowers to be shipped. "If you opt for shipping instead of air transport, that can save 40 to 70 percent of the costs," Vonk calculates.

The gel contains nutrients and anti-bacterial substances for the disinfecting and feeding of the flowers. "They are actually the preservatives that are also in soft drinks," says Vonk.