Citrus exports predicted to increase by 10%

SAECS ships challenge specialised reefer sector RAY SMUTS A BELOW par deciduous fruit season notwithstanding, Anlin/Seatrade – largest conventional shipper of export fruit – remains buoyant as it eagerly anticipates a good citrus season. Anton du Preez, managing director of Anlin, says the unsatisfactory deciduous shipments in specialised reefer vessels can be attributed to a combination of factors - severe drought, an undersupply of fruit for export, and competition from the container lines. But Anlin/Seatrade and alliance partner LauritzenCool were still able to maintain their regular weekly service to Europe, he said. Seatrade also ships to Mediterranean and Middle East destinations. “The only change was downscaling the size of our vessels from 5 500-pallet to 4 500-pallet capacity, but the larger ships will once again be deployed from May when the citrus season gets underway.” He expects citrus to be up by around 10% in contrast to last year and predicts that the specialised reefer sector (SRS) will be highly competitive during the second half of the year. With worldwide SRS rates up by 25%-30%, the container sector, notably the SA Europe Container Service (SAECS) with its new fleet of six larger and faster ships, is making inroads into specialised reefer underdeck shipping. Du Preez estimates the SRS could lose 10%-15% of market share to containers this year due to the latter’s lower rates, but believes it is business that can be recaptured. Anlin/Seatrade is currently only shipping from Cape Town but Durban, Port Elizabeth and Maputo will come on stream for citrus within the next thee weeks.