Maersk now operates three world-class cold storage facilities in South Africa.
by Blue Africa News
Integrated logistics company Maersk has inaugurated the Belcon Cold Store facility in Cape Town, a key achievement in its over US$100 million (R1.75 billion) investment in South Africa’s cold chain infrastructure.
The investment, the firm said, underscores Maersk’s long-term commitment to South Africa’s economy and its dedication to delivering value to the nation’s businesses and people. The inauguration represents Maersk’s continued focus on strengthening the country’s critical cold chain logistics network by minimising losses.
“Maersk has been invested and present in South Africa for over three decades, and our ambition has never been stronger. We are committed to building and delivering logistics solutions that create tangible value for our customers and their businesses, while contributing to South Africa’s economic prosperity and the livelihoods of its people,” said Lubabalo Mtya, Managing Director of Maersk Southern Africa & Island.
South Africa’s cold-chain exports sector is dominated by fresh fruit, mainly citrus and table grapes.
In June, a specialist publication reported that the South African table grape industry concluded a successful 2024/2025 season, marked by strong export volumes.
The industry exported 77.8 million cartons in 2024/2025, a 5% increase from the previous season and the highest export volume on record, with European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK) markets receiving 58% and 18% of exports respectively.
However, further reports indicate that the South African grape industry has faced significant challenges, with delays and broken cold chains in logistics costing up to R1.5 billion (US$86.7 million), a challenge Maersk seeks to address through the cold store facility.
“This integrated approach means we’re not only delivering on ocean shipping but providing our customers with complete logistics solutions that address their most pressing challenges,” added Mtya.
Maersk now operates three world-class cold storage facilities in South Africa; Belcon, Cato and PreCool.
The facilities feature 32,000 pallet positions, strategic proximity to the ports of Cape Town and Durban, rail sidings and highway connections for seamless multimodal transport, on-site container depot for efficient cargo handling and renewable energy systems to decarbonise supply chains.
Oliver Ochieng, Blue Africa News