A growing trend towards
bulk wine shipping has
pushed up demand for
quality grade containers suitable
for the export of bulk wine.
Availability of these quality
grade containers remains one of
the biggest challenges for the
industry, says Marliese Martine,
managing director of specialist
forwarder to the wine industry,
JF Hillebrand SA.
While global demand for
bottled brand South African
exports will continue, exporters
cannot ignore the evolution
from bottled exports to bulk
product exports, she told FTW.
Based on feedback from the
various role-players, Martin
said it was evident the global
demand for 40ft containers
was increasing while demand
for 20ft containers was on
the decrease. “The lifespan
of a 20ft container has been
increased to as much as 20
years, while some shipping
lines are no longer investing
in the production of new 20ft
containers,” said Martin.
Bulk wine shipping requires
quality-grade 20 ft containers
“The volume of 40ft
containers imported into South
Africa is much larger than
the volume of 20ft containers
and shipping lines are forced
to “reposition” empty 20ft
containers in order to meet the
demand. Many 20ft containers
are imported or re-positioned
from Africa and the quality
of the containers arriving in
South Africa is not always up to
standard.”
She said in some instances
scrap metal was also shipped
in 20ft containers, resulting
in further deterioration in the
quality of the containers.
At the same time turnaround
time for repair work sometimes
takes as long as two weeks,
adding further delays.
Said Martin: “For bulk
wine exports we require 20ft
30ton plated containers of
good quality – and the depots
are under pressure to ensure
that containers are released
according to the JF Hillebrand
standards required.”
The company manufactures
the VinBulk Flexitank that
transforms a standard 20ft ISO
container into a non-hazardous
bulk liquid transportation
system. Designed specifically to
ensure wine arrives safely and
in pristine condition, VinBulk
incorporates the very latest
barrier technology materials
to protect product from
deterioration during transit.
“A strategic long-term
solution is what is needed,” said
Martin, who remains in earnest
discussions with the vessel
liners and depots to ensure that
it happens.
CAPTION
Marliese Martine … strategic long-term
solution needed.
