United Container Depots (UCD) has taken over the former Aquamarine Depot in Port Elizabeth. UCD says its expansion into Port Elizabeth is part of the company’s growth strategy based on the Eastern Cape’s potential for future business opportunities. “In the past our clients’ operations in Port Elizabeth were serviced by competitors because we had no presence in the province. This expansion will allow us to plug that gap,” says UCD general manager Willie van Vuuren. UCD took over control of the facility late last year and opened it officially in April 2011. Clients include Mitsui OSK Lines, China Ocean Shipping Company (Cosco) and Malaysian International Shipping Company (MISC). The new UCD facility is situated just off the N2, and is close to the main Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage industrial areas, while being equidistant from the ports of Ngqura and Port Elizabeth. Investment in the new facility includes the introduction of a live electronic tracking and tracing system, as well as the upgrading of security and installation of a generator to provide back-up power for reefer points and electronic systems. A division of the Novagroup, which is wholly owned by Pescanova, UCD provides services in shipping and logistics such as storage and repair of empty marine containers, pre-tripping of refrigerated containers, handling of containers and structural repairs of damage to containers. The facility is also an approved warranty service centre in Port Elizabeth for refrigeration manufacturers Carrier and Daikin as well as Thermo King. The company has operations in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Walvis Bay and Luderitz in Namibia. Its sister company, Container Trust, is also represented in Port Elizabeth. Container Trust supplies new and second -hand containers and converts them into stores, site offices, mobile bank units and Spaza shops. There are plans to consolidate the Port Elizabeth operations in the new UCD container park.
