Stakeholders in the export-orientated fruit value chain, together with the Western Cape Government and Transnet Port Terminals, are pleased to announce a new collaboration aimed at enhancing operations at the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT).
The public sector partnership (PSP) involves the installation of two additional
500kVA generators at the terminal with 60 reefer container plug points each.
This upgrade will enable the terminal to increase capacity during peak
deciduous season by providing an additional reefer stack.
The generators, commissioned with funding from the Western Cape
Department of Economic Development & Tourism, Agbiz, Hortgro, the South
African Table Grape Industry (SATI), the Fresh Produce Exporters Forum (FPEF),
and the KAL Group, mark a milestone in PSP projects executed at the Cape
Town Container Terminal. By increasing the terminal's capacity to handle
containers during peak weeks, when volume surges are experienced – and
providing a separate reefer stack which can be loaded during periods of high
wind - this project will contribute to improving the terminal's overall output
during the peak deciduous fruit export season.
"We look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on fresh produce
exports from the Western Cape and to continue our collaboration with the
Western Cape Government and Transnet Port Terminals to drive growth and
development in the sector," said Agbiz CEO, Theo Boshoff.
"This project benefits exporters operating out of the Cape Town Container
Terminal directly and serves as a pilot project for future initiatives. We can apply
the lessons learned to pave the way for future PSP projects between Transnet
Port Terminals and cargo owners."
Boshoff added, "The agricultural industry relies heavily on the logistics sector in
South Africa. Although cargo owners are not the direct clients of the terminal,
we have fostered a strong relationship over the past few years. We stood ready
to assist when Transnet Port Terminals requested generators and mobile plug
points, and we quickly delivered on our offer."
This initiative is a good example of the power of PSP projects in driving
economic growth and development.
Dr Ivan Meyer, the Western Cape Provincial Minister of Agriculture, Economic
Development & Tourism said the province's Growth for Jobs strategy includes
tripling export from the Western Cape by 2035, which requires reducing the
cost of logistics, and improving the efficiency at the port. Support to primary
stakeholders to address challenges in the Port of Cape Town is therefore a key
priority.
"The request from Transnet Port Terminals to contribute towards standby
generators for the peak deciduous fruit export season is consistent with this
strategy. The partnership with Transnet Port Terminals and fruit exporters on this
project will substantially reduce the risk of delays in large volumes of perishable
cargo movement that is associated with disruptive events, such as extended
periods of high wind speeds," said Meyer.
According to Transnet Port Terminals' Western Cape managing executive,
Oscar Borchards, they are committed to implementing continual
improvements that can assist exports out of Cape Town. "Our focus is to
continue strengthening our relations with all our stakeholders within the entire
value chain. This project is one of the strides we have been making through
collaboration with our stakeholders and we appreciate the spirit with which it
has been executed with the fruit industry. Projects like these very much align
with our commitment to efficiently deliver fresh cargo from our customers to
the global markets timeously. We are excited to explore similar initiatives in the
future," Borchards said.
Jointly issued by AGBIZ, HORTGRO, SATI, FPEF, Transnet Port Terminals, and the
Western Cape Government
For more information:
Ms. Denene Erasmus
SATI
[email protected]
Tel: +2784 548 4606