African Port Logistics Infrastructure (APLI) has invested around R60 million to upscale efficiency and capacity at its subsidiary Maydon Wharf Fruit Terminal (MFT) at Durban port. MD of APLI, Kees Anton van Welie, said at the recent launch of the firm’s new offices in Maydon Wharf that he was upbeat about growth prospects for exports and had invested the sum in its facilities over the past two years. He said MFT had handled 200 000 pallets of citrus in 2018, up from 174 000 pallets the previous year, and more growth was anticipated in 2019. “We have made significant investments aimed at increasing our cold storage capacity from 11 500 to 14 500 pallets under cooling. We have also increased the efficiency of our cooling plant, ensuring quick and even cooling to reduce fruit temperatures to ranges determined by relevant citrus export protocols.” “With robust citrus production – 2018 delivering a record crop – there is a requirement for cold storage facilities like MFT to up their game and play their role to ensure that the increased citrus harvest is translated into increased citrus export volumes,” Van Welie said. APLI head of operations, Ben Marais, said large cold storage facilities with high volume throughput were required to efficiently handle export product to EU/UK/Russia and Middle East markets. In addition, specialised equipment with significantly higher capital investment is required to service the fast-growing Far East markets, which subject cargo to more stringent cold treatment protocols, essentially sterilising the fruit. He said that being able to offer customers the flexibility of both solutions at the required scale was what had underpinned the success of the operation. MFT is one of two quay side cold stores in Durban that is able to offer its customers the option to export via refrigerated breakbulk vessels as well as refrigerated containers.
