Transnet’s new CT cold store still shrouded in secrecy

NO RIGHT-thinking business would enter into a multi-million rand development contract without thorough homework – as Transnet has clearly done on its new cold store at Cape Town’s E-berth – which is why the fruit and shipping industry remain totally mystified by the parastatal’s ongoing silence over its venture. There hasn’t been a single word from Transnet Port Terminals since FTW broke the story in March, despite laborious attempts to get to the heart of the matter. It is therefore appropriate to record that not a single Transnet official has been willing to discuss the matter, feigning ignorance or simply not responding. Equally significant is that the fruit industry, major container shipping carriers and the container industry are totally in the dark over the new venture. “Clandestine”, is how the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum’s Stuart Symington puts it. His organisation represents the country’s most influential perishables players. It’s a clear bone of contention with rival FPT, the diversified Capespan subsidiary with a significant interest in fruit which is still a major handling commodity despite declining volumes. The issue was raised at a recent logistics workshop in Franschhoek, again with no satisfactory response from Transnet. Says Symington of the FPEF: “It seems a little unusual that a facility of this size would be built under the nose of a private sector competitor where breakbulk fruit volumes have been waning at the expense of container volumes. Perhaps Transnet’s business plan includes storage of products other than fresh fruits and in modes other than conventional pallet modes.” The state-of-the art, forced-air cooling facility can handle up to 1 000 pallets every 24 hours. Its total capacity is 4 000 pallets. The project has been on the go since May 2007 and was rumoured to be opening possibly at the end of April this year. It is predominantly a high cube, containerisation facility able to handle conventional vessel pallets as well. However, the balance will be far in containerisation’s favour, utilising E and F berths, with FPT – a rival cold store operator – having access to B,C and D berths.