Growth within Port of Antwerp’s chilly chain sector is readied to continue 2021. This is even more impressive in a year when the international supply chain was encountering unmatched difficulties. What will 2022 bring? Port of Antwerp’s Perishable Expertise Group uses response to some pushing inquiries.
The complete variety of reefer containers managed in the port of Antwerp enhanced by 2.7% in 2021 contrasted to 2020. The 1 million TEU mark of functional reefer containers has actually been masqueraded the 2nd year straight currently. The development was primarily driven by a 6% boost in export quantities. Some 60% of the containers managed in the Port of Antwerp are predestined for export. The share of reefer container quantities (in TEUs) is 8.2% of the complete container website traffic in the port.
Perishables Expertise Group “Our eating habits have a positive bearing on reefer rates. Meal boxes with fresh produce are becoming increasingly popular. Moreover, supermarkets are exploring ways they can deliver fresh groceries to the customers’ homes. This phenomenon is already popular in the United Kingdom and is expected to blow over to Belgium. Many consumers are consciously choosing a plant-based diet and are looking for an expanded range of fruits, vegetables and meat substitutes. Preferably all year round.”
Future for standard reefer ships?
What attracts attention in the yearly numbers is the boost in standard reefer quantities. Total standard quantity enhanced by 6% contrasted to 2020. Before the coronavirus situation, there was a massive decrease in making use of standard reefer vessels, as most of perishables were moved in reefer containers. As of 2020, it was once more lucrative to release reefer vessels in lining delivery because of the high prices in container lining delivery. Do standard reefers still have a future?
Perishables Expertise Group: “The current fleet of conventional reefer ships was competed out of the market before the health crisis because of their high bunker costs. However, this type of vessel fits perfectly within the current system of refrigerated storage and cross-docking. Since these vessels can be loaded and unloaded quickly and the infrastructure lends itself to it, a new and environmentally friendly generation of conventional reefer vessels could once again play a significant role in the future.”
IMO 2023
The maritime industry is devoted to the UN objectives around lasting advancement. As component of IMO 2023, gauges to lower greenhouse gas discharges from global delivery will certainly enter pressure following year. This standard, in addition to climbing power rates, will certainly have an effect on the international chilly chain. Companies are spending greatly in their very own renewable resource resources. Will this suffice to deal with the power concern?
Perishables Expertise Group: “Using only renewable energy is not enough. The industry must invest to be able to store this energy as well. By storing residual energy in a battery, you can use it at peak times. You can monitor how much wind and solar energy is coming in and compare it to how much your business is using. This allows you to optimise energy consumption. It’s a huge investment but it pays off. Both financially and environmentally, this has a positive impact.”
Year of change
At the start of 2022, the international container profession is still encountering numerous difficulties. Virtually all storage facilities are complete, lining solutions are not yet operating on routine as well as containers are not where they must be. Yet there bewares positive outlook. Due to the high inoculation price in Belgium (concerning 77.8%), less employees are leaving because of health problem. This will certainly have a favorable impact on blockage at the terminals as well as the lack of truckers. The management stockpile will certainly likewise slowly vanish. Is 2022 a year of change for the container market?
Perishables Expertise Group: “One thing’s for sure: all links in the logistics chain will have to work together to solve the problems. Eventually, rates will stabilise at sustainable levels. Low prices are a thing of the past. But this is a good thing. Higher rates ensure that there’s more discipline in ordering and managing capacity in the various links of the logistics chain. This helps avoid future problems. Although unforeseen events can always adversely affect containerised liner shipping. Just think of the current sanctions against Russia, for example.”
“To be less affected by such disruptions in the logistics chain in the future, you could look for shippers closer to home. This, of course, is not obvious in the case of tropical fruits. Another solution is to be less dependent on one maritime connection or one area for the import and export of goods. For example, you can import mangoes from both India and Mexico. As such, you spread the risk and guarantee provisioning.”
The Perishables Expertise Group consists of specialists from Remant Cool Logistics, DP World, Foodcareplus, Hapag-Lloyd, Seafrigo, Luik Natie, PSA Cargo Solutions, IDP, Eurofruitports, MSC as well as Sea spend.
Reference: portofantwerp.com
