The Reefer Alliance from South Africa is ready with their pre-Christmas vessel, set to be loaded with deciduous fruit at the Port of Cape Town FPT terminal on 25 November with the departure set for 29 November. Charles Gantz, managing director of Anlin Shipping, estimates that the first vessel of table grapes and stone fruit will reach the United Kingdom's Dover Port on 15 December and the EU in Rotterdam on 16 December.
His company is the local agent for the Reefer Alliance, representing the specialised reefer owners, Cool Carriers and Seatrade. "Organised chaos" is how Gantz described the shipping of the fruit during the past 2023/24 deciduous fruit season from South Africa. Anlin Shipping will continue with their reliable specialised reefer vessels mainly from FPT, the private operated terminal at the Port of Cape Town. "Our schedule reflects planned ships to call on 25 November, 12 December and 26 December for the earlier fruit, subject to industry support."
January starts the traditional South African peak volume export season for the table grapes, especially as all the growing regions deliver at the same time. The Reefer Alliance schedule has ships departing weekly for Europe and the UK and bi-weekly to Russia. "Last year we had 12 ships in total going to mainly Europe and the UK, since week 48 to week 9. For this season we have 13 ships in total planned."
He says they rely on the initial estimates, provided by the South African producers and exporters, to ensure that enough ships are available. "We will ship about 8,500 pallets per week. Last year we did not see the bigger volumes coming due to lower estimates. FPT did not see it coming either. If we knew the demand would be so much bigger, we would've been more prepared," this is one of the reasons why an additional ship was added to the schedule explains Gantz.
He says this time they are more prepared and happy to service the demand of clients, just like they managed to do last season. "We will start in week 48 until week 9/10. Our shipments to Russia will kick off from week two or three, which will follow every second week."
The strong wind that often blows in Cape Town during December and January can cause more delays, but it does not affect them as much at the FPT terminal. "The wind continues to play a big role. We are sheltered from the wind where we load the ships at FPT. This is a big advantage over the container terminal."
Gantz' advice to the South African fruit industry remains the same. "Don't underestimate volumes. Talk to us early, plan and commit, and you will be taken care of. With us, you know when your fruit will be in the market, we might be out by a day or two at most, but still in your time period for products to reach your customers overseas during your window."
For more information:
Charles Gantz
Anlin Shipping
Tel: +27 21 914 3979
Email: [email protected]
https://www.anlin.co.za