A.P. Moeller-Maersk (Maersk), the largest container shipping line in the world, has delivered 1,800 refrigerated (reefer) containers to South Africa to meet increasing customer demand.
In a statement, Maersk said it also delivered the reefer containers to support the South Africa’s agriculture industry, and complement the fleet already in the country.
The containers have departed Jebel Ali last weekend and are expected to arrive in Durban early May to be distributed among Maersk and Safmarine customers.
Reefer containers are currently scarce in South Africa due to the imbalance in trade flows, which has been impacted by the lockdown in China in Q1 and the expected stronger demand for South African fruit.
“Knowing the importance of the upcoming export season to our customers as well as the South African economy, Maersk remains committed to serve our South African reefer customers ensuring their fresh citrus continues to be delivered globally,” said Jonathan Horn, Managing Director for Maersk Southern Africa and Indian Ocean Islands.
“We will continue to support South African companies, industry and producers with viable solutions to work through the current challenging scenario to keep their goods moving,” he added.
Since February, Maersk has developed several global solutions for customers to work through the current challenging trade scenario.
They include providing alternative sea and land routes, terminals, cold-storage depots in China and Russia, extra trucking services, rail services support and daily advisories, updating customers worldwide on how to keep their goods moving.
