CONTRIBUTORS
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
About half of all citrus exports move through the Port of Durban . The longer-term solution to the crisis is the rollout of public sector participation in all ports . Therefore , the approval of Transnet ’ s partnership with International Container Terminal Services for Pier 2 is good news .
However , the commencement date has been pushed back and the full benefit of the venture will not be felt by the citrus industry in 2024 . This is a disappointing development , and also an example of why a greater sense of urgency in public-private partnerships is needed by all parties involved .
The recently issued call by Transnet for private bids to operate a liquid bulk terminal at the Port of Cape Town is also a welcome development . The Citrus Growers ’ Association of Southern Africa hopes this might signal a change in the urgency with which private sector involvement at ports is sought .
Western Cape citrus growers are big exporters to the US and will certainly benefit from private partnerships involving container terminals . Even the Port of Saldanha could be considered as a longer-term private container solution in the future .
To return to the present dilemma , the greatest risk at ports this season is equipment failure . A lot of the equipment is aged and prone to breakdowns . Though replacement of some large machinery has been secured , most will not arrive in time . Replacing big and complicated machinery does not happen quickly .
Transnet and the citrus industry will need to monitor operations carefully and be responsive to whatever unfolds . This means real-time information about what is occurring at the ports is of immense importance . Fortunately , a network has been established between the industry and Transnet , through which information can be shared immediately and corrective actions or substitute measures proposed and then executed .
Detailed data has also been collected on possible bottlenecks during high peak season ( July and August ) as most citrus will be arriving at ports then . The scenarios that have been assessed highlight concerns about vessel service alignment , port plug-in capacity and cold store capacity .
This all forms part of the association ’ s plans to handle the challenges of the 2024 season . But these plans are only stopgap measures for coping in the short term – they are unsustainable . Private capital and management are needed to increase productivity at container terminals .
The citrus industry is dependent on improved logistics to achieve its goals and secure its sustainability and global competitiveness . The growth potential of the industry is immense . The association ’ s goal is to help growers increase exports by 100-million cartons by 2032 , which could create 100 000 new jobs , mostly in vulnerable rural communities . Private participation offers so many growth
Standret | Freepik . com opportunities in the export economy that one hopes they will be seized with due haste .
Another way in which our industry has been readying itself for potential bottlenecks at the ports is by learning from other sectors . Different fruit sector bodies can assist each other in this way . Recently , at the association ’ s Port Indaba , the South African Table Grape Industry reported on its logistics experiences and data collected during the recent deciduous fruit season . All types of co-operation are essential for handling the logistics challenges in our export economy .
The value of co-operation , be it between fruit sectors or between the government and the private sector , cannot be understated . With an unpredictable citrus season ahead , all role players should continue to do everything they can to minimise risk . Entire sections of the economy and the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of South Africans depend on it . CLA
Millions of cartons of citrus will in coming weeks make their way to South Africa ’ s ports as citrus season starts to ramp up .
24 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za COLD LINK AFRICA • June 2024