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INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN |
Cold Link Africa
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VOL . 39 - NO . 1 | MARCH / APRIL 2025 |
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CONTENTS REGULARS
3 Editor ’ s column 34 Buyer ’ s guide 35 Word search
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NEWS
5 Food poisoning deaths and the integrity of the cold chain 6 CCS Logistics celebrates launch of new cold store in PE 7 Staycold collaborates with SABS 8 Growing demand for staple foods in Africa grows with
Buhler ’ s growth 9 Study reveals the pathway for cold chain development in
West Africa
ASSOCIATIONS
10 The journey to a better world : a refrigeration perspective ( Part 2 )
16 SADC RAC country phase-out of HCFCs and HFCs in line with international protocols
19 GCCA Africa expanding the cold chain across Africa
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FEATURE
21 Discover , Learn and Connect – Sign Up for FRIGAIR 2025 Now !
CONTRIBUTORS
30 History of the Quayside Training Academy 33 The role of temperature-controlled infrastructure in Africa ’ s trade growth
We want to showcase your projects ! Get in touch : eamonn @ interactmedia . co . za
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© Cold Link Africa
Supplied by Freepik
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In recent years , the use of refrigerated or ‘ reefer ’ trucks , by illegal migrants attempting to cross international borders has become an increasingly alarming issue . These trucks are being exploited by human traffickers and migrants seeking to avoid detection while crossing borders . The trucks ' insulated walls provide a perfect hiding spot , allowing migrants to stay undetected by border authorities and customs officers . The vehicles are often parked in remote areas , allowing migrants to climb into the truck ' s cargo hold and remain there for hours or even days while the vehicle makes its journey across borders . The cooling systems of these trucks maintain a low temperature , which can be either beneficial or dangerous for migrants , depending on the conditions . In some cases , the refrigeration system may malfunction or be turned off , leading to suffocation or exposure to extreme temperatures .
Journeys can be perilous , with migrants sometimes packed in the refrigerated compartments alongside goods or in conditions where ventilation is poor . While some migrants may pay traffickers significant sums for the chance to travel in such dangerous conditions , others are forced into these situations as part of human trafficking operations .
The main reason refrigerated trucks are used for smuggling migrants is their ability to hide people from border authorities . The trucks are frequently subject to less scrutiny than other vehicles , especially when crossing busy or remote checkpoints . The cold temperature inside the truck may also
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discourage border agents from inspecting the cargo area thoroughly . Additionally , with the rise of security measures at borders , traffickers and migrants alike look for innovative ways to bypass detection .
Refrigerated trucks can travel along a variety of routes , including highways and rural roads , making them an appealing option for those trying to avoid detection at border crossings . This is not restricted to South Africa : migrants have been found in refrigerated trucks making journeys from regions such as Mexico to the US , or from Eastern Europe through Western European countries to the UK .
Refrigerated trucks are often used to transport goods across international borders . This means that smugglers can often take advantage of routine shipping routes , adding a layer of normalcy to the smuggling process . Since the trucks are already familiar with customs checks and procedures , their use in illegal migration seems less suspicious .
Human traffickers often exploit trucking companies or use legitimate companies to conceal the illegal activity . Some drivers may unknowingly transport migrants , while others may be complicit in the operation .
One of the most tragic examples of refrigerated truck smuggling occurred in October 2019 , when 39 Vietnamese migrants were found dead in the back of a refrigerated container in Essex , UK . The victims had suffocated due to a lack of oxygen and extreme temperatures . In 2017 , 71 migrants were found dead in the back of a refrigerated truck in Austria . The truck , which
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had been abandoned on the side of the road , contained men , women and children who had been suffocated by the lack of ventilation . The truck had travelled from Hungary and was part of a broader human trafficking network operating across Europe . A google search reveals no such cases yet in South Africa , though there are several involving non-refrigerated trucks .
While refrigerated trucks offer a potential means of covert transport , the risks involved are dire . Migrants endure extreme conditions , including cramped spaces , limited air supply , and dangerously low or high temperatures . Many people who attempt to cross in these trucks face health risks , such as dehydration , suffocation and heatstroke . In some cases , these journeys result in fatalities , either from suffocation or hypothermia , as was tragically seen in both the UK and Austria cases .
Smugglers profit from exploiting vulnerable people , charging large sums of money for the dangerous and inhumane journey . These operations often involve criminal networks that may also be involved in other illegal activities , such as drug smuggling and arms trafficking , creating additional risks to national security .
Authorities around the world are increasingly aware of the use of refrigerated trucks for smuggling migrants , and steps are being taken to address the issue . Border security agencies are implementing more advanced inspection techniques , including X-ray machines , sniffer dogs and infrared sensors , to detect hidden individuals in vehicles . However ,
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