New systems help speed up reefer shipments

Fruit exporters have been warned of possible delays during the coming fruit season thanks to ongoing refurbishments and upgrades at the Port of Durban. Jose Jardim, general manager of Hamburg Süd, recently told shippers at a workshop in Cape Town that while they had not experienced many berthing delays it was important to remain aware that the southern quay (berths 108/109) would be out of commission during the citrus season. “It is important that industry is forewarned and that they understand the risk,” he said. “There is an express lane for reefers and new systems are being implemented – including a sticker system for steri units – that will allow the containers to be identified more quickly and moved through faster.” Jardim emphasised the importance of risk management in the supply chain. “Not only must we be aware of the risk before the season starts but we must also work together as partners to find solutions for the risks that we might come across.” The shipping line met over two days with its perishable exporters to update them on new processes and procedures and to assess possible risk in the upcoming fruit seasons. The idea was to get to grips with challenges and to workshop solutions together. “The supply chain is a partnership,” said Jardim. “The shipping industry at its very heart is a people business.” He stressed the advantages of containerisation for fruit shippers saying fixed-day weekly sailings with a wide choice of destinations remained a benefit. “We like to call it precision shipping. There is a case to be made for containerisation as it offers predictability, reliability and flexibility.” The company will this year for the first time also introduce cold treatment from the port of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. “We are not going to take much risk but rather first establish what the market requires and look at how the volumes grow, but we are hoping to see this sector grow.” CAPTION Jose Jardim, general manager of Hamburg Süd, during a recent workshop with exporters in Stellenbosch.