Peter Tops and Jan Simons of EFP with the new system
Smaller risk of damage
The Costa Rican Star
Expansion activities
Peter says that, since January of this year, they haven't just been responsible for loading in the cold store, but also for unloading and loading the ships. The Costa Rican Star carries around 4,000 tonnes of bananas. The ship is unloaded by the group of dockworkers, who are hired on a day-by-day basis. Unloading the ship takes about 16-24 hours. Then the goods are delivered in various European countries. EuroFruitPorts is also responsible for the export. On the way back, the ship mostly carries cars and packaging materials. Other products that are shipped to Africa, are potatoes and onions."
8 pallets at a time are lifted up out of the hold
The conventional way: four pallets at a time lifted up by the quay crane
Controlled atmosphere
The automatic lift system on the outside
3500 pallets bananas a week
Early 2013, logistics service provider EuroFruitPorts was founded in Antwerp, as a joint venture between Euroports and Compagnie Fruitière. Compagnie Fruitière is the biggest importer of bananas from West Africa. EuroFruitPorts unloads around 80% bananas, originating from various African countries. Other products are pineapple, mangoes, tomatoes, melons and coconuts. Each year, the company unloads around 200,000 tonnes of fruit from the ship, and 50,000 tonnes from containers. That's an average of 3,500 pallets of bananas and 1,000 pallets of other fruits weekly. EuroFruitPorts utilizes an automated inventory system. "Everything can be found very easily in the warehouse through coordinates. We regularly introduce improvements here, also when it comes to saving energy, and safety."
The bananas are scanned inside and put in the right place
EuroFruitPorts has recently also been given an organic certification, and is thus also able to store organic products. "The amount of organic products is small, about 2,500 tonnes a year, but an increase is expected. For the conventional bananas, we expect stable supplies."
For more information:
Peter Tops
Eurofruitports NV
Land van Waaslaan 5
Haven 1207 - 9130
Kallo - Belgium
T +32 3 570 35 39
M +32 497 52 96 39
www.eurofruitports.com
www.fruitiere.fr