FPT diversifies into general cargo handling

RAY SMUTS DIVERSIFICATION is a strong priority for Fresh Produce Terminals which has already made moves in that direction. In terms of the lease agreement with its landlord, the National Ports Authority, it is by no means confined to handling fruit or other fresh produce alone. In a ‘prototype operation’ the company recently started handling general cargo - mainly grain and soya bean meal - from B berth in the port of Cape Town. “We approached the bulk carrier operators ands started making deals with some of them and this has worked out very successfully as we have already moved 56 000 tons of dry cargo over the past few months, starting from zero base,” says MD Danie Maartens. FPT has been handling rice and ammonium nitrate imports in Durban for a while now in the off-season. Another significant new development for FPT Cape Town is its distribution deal with retailer Clicks. “The Clicks merchandise, mostly household goods, is brought by road from the container terminal to vacant premises at FPT where we destuff the containers, palletise the cargo and store it. From there it is distributed to the various outlets.” Around 400 FEUs have come in over the past three months, he said.