Level 1 broad-based economic empowerment company GSF Trucking is expanding its cold chain fleet and equipment in a bid to more than double its volumes of cold chain products moved over the next three years as demand for cold chain logistics and handling continues to grow.
The drive by southern African governments – especially Zimbabwe – to re-establish the region as the “food basket of Africa”, was behind this anticipated growth, said Diren Krishna, MD of GSF Trucking.
He told FTW that bulk cargo from agricultural producers was growing as was the export and import of meat, poultry and seafood.
“Furthermore, growth in healthcare services, particularly for vaccinations and primary health care, has also substantially driven increased demand in cold chain logistics,” added Krishna. The logistics company’s cold chain business currently accounts for 8.5% of volumes moved but it expects to increase its cold chain volumes to 20-22% over the next three years.
“Our expansion programme to 2021, which includes the acquisition of a further 20 generator sets, shows a marked commitment to grow as a meaningful player in the cold chain logistics space,” said Krishna.
Investment in gensets coupled with the planned installation of multiple plug points at its depot would facilitate the handling, transhipment and storage of plug-in reefers, he said.
“This will enable us to offer a wide range of services – including turn-key cargo handling – with larger volume/ handling capacity.”
If the growth projections are correct, he envisages an entire GSF division dedicated to cold chain.
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Growth in healthcare services has substantially driven increased demand in cold chain logistics. – Dhiren Krishna
