Collaboration boosts capacity at Cape Town Container Terminal
SOUTH AFRICA – Stakeholders in South Africa’s fresh produce export industry have joined forces with the Western Cape Government and Transnet Port Terminals to improve efficiency at the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT).
The partnership includes installing two additional 500kVA generators with 60 reefer container plug points each, aimed at handling higher volumes of perishable goods during peak seasons.
The project, funded by the Western Cape Department of Economic Development & Tourism, Agbiz, Hortgro, the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI), the Fresh Produce Exporters Forum (FPEF), and the KAL Group, is set to ease congestion and improve overall terminal performance.
By creating an extra reefer stack, exporters will have a dedicated space to store perishable goods, even during periods of high wind.
South African horticulture relies on the Cape Town Container Terminal to transport fresh produce to international markets. The facility is a critical hub for perishable exports, particularly during peak seasons.
Agbiz CEO Theo Boshoff emphasized the significance of this initiative for South African fruit exporters. “We look forward to the positive impact on fresh produce exports and continued collaboration,” he stated.
He also noted that the project serves as a model for future partnerships. “This initiative benefits exporters and provides lessons for future PSP projects,” he added.”
According to Boshoff, agriculture is closely tied to South Africa’s logistics industry. “The agricultural industry relies heavily on the logistics sector in South Africa. Although cargo owners are not the direct clients of the terminal, we have fostered a strong relationship over the past few years.”
He added that when Transnet Port Terminals requested generators and mobile plug points, they were ready to assist and quickly delivered on their offer.
Western Cape Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development & Tourism, Dr. Ivan Meyer, highlighted that improving port operations is a crucial part of the province’s Growth for Jobs strategy, which aims to triple exports by 2035. He explained that addressing logistical challenges is a priority for the government.
“The request from Transnet Port Terminals to contribute towards standby generators for the peak deciduous fruit export season is consistent with this strategy.”
He added that working with fruit exporters on this project would help minimize delays caused by disruptive events like prolonged high winds.
Oscar Borchards, Transnet Port Terminals’ Western Cape managing executive, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to improving export operations. “Our focus is to continue strengthening our relations with all our stakeholders within the entire value chain. This project is one of the strides we have been making through collaboration with our stakeholders, and we appreciate the spirit with which it has been executed with the fruit industry.
He noted that this project is a key step in ongoing collaboration with the fruit industry and aligns with their commitment to ensuring timely delivery of fresh cargo to global markets. Borchards added that they look forward to exploring similar initiatives in the future.
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