Overseer jets in for deciduous season, writes Ray Smuts
JUST AS Frank Sinatra was intent on doing things My Way, so too is Cool Carriers; hence the presence in South Africa of Captain Lars Sšderberg.
The 54-year-old Swede is one of three port captains in the huge reefer fleet, also bearing the designation trade supervisor, and his mission is quite simply to ensure that things are done specifically the Cool Carriers way.
Captain Sšderberg spent the last citrus season overseeing the company's shipping operations in Durban and returned to South Africa on January 11 to take charge of the deciduous season from Cape Town.
Though due to return to Sweden in April, he is determined to stay on until I see things are going our way. In May he will be back in Durban for the citrus season.
Commenting on the standard of South African fruit exports, he told FTW aboard the Japanese-registered Ivory Eagle, one of the vessels in the Cool Carriers pool: If you don't have good fruit you cannot sell it.
The produce is of excellent quality, absolutely comparable with your competitors like Argentina and Chile and the standard of fruit control is good.
He lauded the advent of independent shippers handling fruit exports, saying: Previously there was only one fruit operator, International Harbour Services. Now there is competition which is a good thing, even for IHS, because if they see how others operate they can become more motivated.
While reluctant to comment on standards within the Port of Cape Town, Sšderberg did say he believed loading of ships can be done a quicker way.
He stressed the importance of closely co-ordinating fruit deliveries by ensuring a steady flow of vehicles from cold rooms within a 120km radius of the Mother City. If they come too quickly the fruit stands on the quayside and becomes hot.
Captain Sšderberg's stay in Cape Town has also had a bit of an educational slant as he has been training Rennies Ships Agency cargo superintendents in the handling of fruit.
Captain Lars Soderberg (left) with Trevor Law, Cool Carriers' general
manager in South Africa ... making sure that things are done the Cool Carriers way.
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