New PE cold storage facility to open in April

CONSTRUCTION HAS begun on a new cold storage facility in the Bakens River/Port Elizabeth area.
The fruit terminal, which will initially handle 2500 pallet positions per week, is expected to be operational during April 1999. Spoornet, DTL Shipping and other interested parties have formed a joint venture to establish the terminal which will form part of a long-term plan to develop more cold storage terminal facilities in major fruit ports in Southern Africa.
The land for the facility will be provided by Spoornet. The existing Bakens River Shed will be demolished and a purpose-designed terminal will be erected on the site. Langkloof, Gamtoos, Sundays River and Kat River will benefit from the development, which is expected to enhance opportunities for additional export of citrus and deciduous fruit from the region.
Spoornet will develop the logistics capabilities of the local and national citrus, decidous fruit and vegetable market. DTL, as the operating company that manages the day-to-day business of the joint venture, will use SMME (small and medium-sized enterprises) in daily operations.
Final discussions are in progress with Portnet to streamline the supply chain through port facilities.
Joint venture shareholders will include international fruit terminal operators, fruit growers, Spoornet, black empowerment investors and DTL.
Spoornet is using its skills as a systems integrator to assist in providing efficient supply chain solutions for the citrus and deciduous fruit industries through this project, Dheenan Naidoo, business manager of Spoornet processed foods and perishables told FTW.
Michael Pickstone-Taylor, m.d. of DTL Shipping commented: Our aim is to develop a world best practice perishable supply chain to ensure this industry's position in the global market.