Cold Link Africa November/December 2017 | Page 43

EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS tariff barriers — which choke the ‘hard infrastructure’ of ports, roads, bridges, and tunnels across a region that has a shortage of infrastructure,” says Ziad Hamoui, national president – Ghana for the Borderless Alliance. Current bottlenecks and solutions will also be the focus for German–Ghanaian enterprise HafenAgentur, which provides maritime logistics, shipping service, haulage, and port development across West Africa. “TOC’s first Africa conference underlines the importance of this continent to the world economy,” says Markus Brinkman, HafenAgentur managing director. A parallel conference track focuses on operational, equipment, and technology issues, covering both container terminals and bulk logistics. Key discussions will address skills and talent development in African ports; risk and safety; equipment maintenance; automation and innovation; port productivity; and clean technologi es. A special session with speaker Andy Connell of A-bar-C Services, formerly of Dole Fresh Fruit Food Group, will focus on the problems of abandoned cargoes. “I hope to create an awareness of the incidences and reasons for cargo abandonment, and the pitfalls and costs, to stimulate dialogue among port INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN The first ever TOC Africa takes place in December in Durban. authorities on this issue and to help with a roadmap out of such events,” says Connell. Running alongside the conference tracks is a port technology exhibition featuring both international and African suppliers and manufacturers. Confirmed companies include Konecranes, Superior, ZPMC, Musco Lighting, Phoenix Terminal Solutions, and BLT Big Lift Trucks. Find out more www.tocevents-africa.com About TOC TOC (originally an abbreviation for Terminal Operations Conference) has long been considered best in class by container terminal operators and their suppliers. Over time, TOC has evolved and while they continue to deliver the highest quality technical content in line with their heritage, they also recognise that they must now hear from stakeholders higher up the cargo chain. CLA COLD LINK AFRICA • November | December 2017 www.coldlinkafrica.co.za 43