A new, privately conceived reefer train solution that will see the delivery of fruit exports country-wide from source to port is due to be presented to Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) in the next few weeks.
Known as the Cool Train project, it’s a joint initiative of DAZU Rail, Port Logistics Solutions and MechMobility. “This is brand new to the South African market,” said Zurayda Christians of DAZU Rail.
“We are currently in the final stages of drafting a proof of concept which will be presented to TFR.” Christians pointed out that the fruit industry faced a number of challenges.
“In terms of exporting to the European Union, fruit contamination as a result of pests has been a concern and the EU has implemented a Fruit Management System introducing some regulation for fruit-producing countries,” she said. It’s been in place since January this year and failure to comply with these regulations could have significant ramifications for SA exporters.
“There is also the logistics challenge that exporters face – from wind delays to equipment availability and reliability, congested ports, the drought, reefer container cable theft, and erratic weather patterns to name a few,” she said. “The implementation of the restriction on moving high cube containers on the roads in 2019 is another concern and will seriously impact the fruit industry.”
She said starting cold chain management at source addressed a number of challenges, while moving the fruit on a reefer train from source to port, addressed some of the logistics concerns.
“Cool or ambient fruit will be loaded into a reefer container at source, which means less handling and lower risk of damage to pallets and cartons. This results in lower costs as there is no need for fruit to be handled at a coastal cold store anymore,” she said. “This ensures improved quality of fruit and better prices for our fruit in the international market thanks to the improved cold chain control.”
Farmers have been moving towards this solution for some time and many have put up cold stores on their farms. The tracks and the locomotives will belong to Transnet but the rest is the undertaking of the three private operators. “Reefer boxes will be packed at the vineyards/orchards and then trucked to the nearest railway station.
“In Grabouw, for example, that is only a 1km truck drive from the orchard to the railway station and from there it is railed to the port,” said Christians. “In other areas the railway station is slightly further but none are further than a 50-60km radius at the most.” While TFR does run a fruit train during certain seasons between the Northern provinces and Durban, the aim is to find a more permanent reefer train solution.
The Fresh Produce Exporters' Forum (FPEF) has welcomed the Cool Train project saying such a reefer train would alleviate congestion – especially in the Durban port.
Reefer boxes will be packed at the vineyards and then trucked to the nearest railway station. – Zurayda Christians
