ISSN 2412-7779
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
Cold Link Africa Online
Cold Link Africa
ColdLinkAfrica
REGULARS
CONTENTS
VOL . 37 - NO . 7 | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2023
REGULARS FEATURE
3 |
Editor ’ s column |
33 |
Products |
34 |
Buyer ’ s guide |
35 |
Wordsearch |
NEWS PROJECT
5 IWC supplies cooling towers for new plant at Tetra Park 21 Groote Schuur Hospital : modern catering services for
ASSOCIATIONS
6 Major hazard risks in cold chain installations 8 SARACCA at a glance – What is a Bargaining Council ? 9 Cold chain development in Africa
EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
10 |
BITZER SA celebrates 30-year anniversary with beer festival |
13 |
Self-regulation in the cold chain |
17 Compressors – the heartbeat of refrigeration
BUSINESS AND TRAINING
20 30 years of OTTC Ammonia diploma qualification
1 000 patients
CONTRIBUTORS
26 |
Fresh from farm to table |
27 |
Refrigeration Practitioner registration – 03 |
28 |
Different types of fire protection systems |
30 |
Where are we now with the MHI Regulations concerning |
Ammonia refrigeration systems ? |
31 |
5 ways to grow your HVAC & R business in the cold chain |
14 HERVAC design , technology and trends – it ’ s all at FRIGAIR 2025 ! 15 TecsaReco ’ s Solar , HVAC , Appliance and Commercial Refrigeration
( SHAC ) Roadshow
We want to showcase your projects ! Get in touch : eamonn @ interactmedia . co . za
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Supplied by John Ackermann © Eamonn Ryan | Cold Link Africa Supplied by Hennie Basson .
The dire state of Transnet hurts cold chain
The future of Transnet , the state-owned logistics and ports operator in South Africa , is uncertain as it faces mounting criticism for its lack of service delivery and inefficiencies . The lack of a reliable and efficient rail system in South Africa significantly impacts the cold chain and has significant implications for the costs of food imports and exports , particularly in the Western Cape which is a major exporter of agricultural and horticultural products , such as fruits , vegetables , meats and seafood .
The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called for the removal of Transnet CEO Portia Derby and other key executives , claiming that their actions are sabotaging businesses . Research by the Gain Group suggests that Transnet ' s inefficiencies cost the country R1-billion a day , equivalent to 5 % of GDP in 2023 . Transnet ' s loss for the year to March 2023 was R5.7-billion , a significant reversal from the R5-billion profit announced in 2022 . The taxpayer is required to underwrite these losses and there is no clear evidence of sustainable recovery .
Business has previously called for heads to roll at Transnet and in December 2022 , the Minerals Council SA called for Derby ' s removal – and in reply , Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan appointed nine new members to the Transnet board .
There is some hope that President Cyril Ramaphosa ' s establishment of the National Logistics Crisis Committee and Minister Gordhan ' s appointment of a new board will address the issues . The reshuffle comes with clear instructions to improve operational performance , reduce costs , establish accountability and review executive management . Despite some rumblings of discontent from Transnet management , business must be involved in finding a solution to the crisis .
Inadequate rail infrastructure hampers the transportation of perishable goods , resulting in delays , spoilage and increased costs . Without a well-functioning rail system , the reliance on road transport increases , which is less efficient and more susceptible to disruptions , such as traffic congestion and accidents . When perishable goods are transported via road , they are more vulnerable to fluctuations in temperature and humidity , potentially leading to spoilage and quality degradation .
The movement of perishable foods depends on a reliable and efficient cold chain infrastructure . Imported goods , such as dairy products , seafood and frozen goods , need to be transported from ports to distribution centres and retailers while maintaining the required temperature conditions . An adequate port and rail system could slash transit times , reduce handling and potential temperature fluctuations , all of which can result in lower prices and greater profitability .
The costs associated with these inefficiencies are ultimately borne by businesses and consumers as the spoilage is passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices . Additionally , businesses may incur financial losses due to product wastage , reduced shelf life and the need for additional measures to mitigate the risks associated with the lack of a reliable cold chain .
To address these challenges , improvements in rail infrastructure , including dedicated refrigerated rail cars and temperature monitoring systems , are necessary . Investments in modernising the rail system and implementing technologies that ensure proper temperature control and monitoring during transportation can enhance the efficiency and reliability of the cold chain . Such improvements would not only reduce costs , but also benefit food safety and consumer confidence in South Africa ' s perishable food sector .
Cape Town ' s port facilities , operated by Transnet , have faced significant challenges and inefficiencies that impact the cold chain and the import and export of perishable goods .
One of the main issues at Cape Town ' s port is congestion and delays in cargo handling . Inefficient operations , lack of proper infrastructure and limited capacity to handle increased cargo volumes have contributed to these challenges .
Transnet has acknowledged these issues and has made efforts to address them . In recent years , there have been plans to invest in infrastructure upgrades and improve operational efficiency at the port . For example , Transnet announced a project to expand the container terminal capacity in Cape Town , which includes the construction of a new berth and reconfiguration of the yards to increase handling capacity .
Funding constraints , bureaucratic processes and other logistical challenges have hindered the progress of these projects . As a result , the congestion and inefficiencies continue to impact the cold
EDITOR ’ S COLUMN
chain and the smooth flow of perishable goods at Cape Town ' s port . CLA
Eamonn
The lack of a reliable and efficient rail system in South Africa significantly impacts the cold chain and has significant implications for the costs of food
COLD LINK AFRICA • November 2023 www . coldlinkafrica . co . za 3