The MSC Group has been an integral part of South Africa’s maritime landscape since 1971, when it began operating there. The first MSC office in the country opened in 1978.
Today, the Group operates various entities, including Mediterranean Shipping Company, Mediterranean Shipping Depot, MSC Logistics (MEDLOG), MSC Technical and Shosholoza Operations. The breadth of MSC’s presence is reflected in its extensive network here, with six offices strategically located in Durban, Cape Town, East London, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Pretoria.
Catalysing trade dynamics
Today, MSC continues its journey in the region, opening a state-of-the-art 15,000-metre cold storage facility in Durban. The enormous cold store, part of MSC’s MEDLOG logistics division, promises to catalyze advancements in the handling of perishable goods in South Africa and beyond and open up the country’s trade landscape.
Keynote address from Soren Toft
The cold storage facility’s inaugural event took place on 7 March 2024. MSC CEO Soren Toft attended, along with government officials, industry partners, clients, and MSC personnel. Mr Toft gave a keynote address highlighting the facility’s impact on South Africa’s bright economic trajectory.
“This investment marks an exciting new milestone for exporters and importers of fresh produce across South Africa,” Mr Toft said. “It exemplifies our ongoing efforts to provide value-added services to our customers while contributing to the development of the local economy. We want to help South Africa achieve its sustainable, economically prosperous and self-reliant vision.”
Mr Toft underscored MSC’s unwavering dedication to realising President Ramaphosa’s vision of fostering investment and job creation in the country, citing investments exceeding 1 billion rand in infrastructure and employment-generating projects.
Supporting imports and exports
The cold storage facility epitomises excellence in infrastructure and has a capacity of 8,000 to 10,000 pallets. Strategically located as a hub for imports and exports, the facility represents a paradigm shift in South Africa’s storage and logistics capabilities. Import commodities that can now be expanded include chicken sourced from Brazil, the USA and Poland. At the same time, exports primarily comprise citrus destined for markets in Europe, the Middle East and Far East/Asia.
Captain Salvatore Sarno, Chairman of MSC South Africa, expressed pride in the facility, saying, “We are proud to unveil this state-of-the-art cold storage facility, which not only reinforces our dedication to supporting the South African economy but also underscores our commitment to job creation and economic growth.”
“The construction is of the highest quality,” explained Jose Carlos Garcia, MEDLOG Warehousing & Distribution Manager. “The building features convertible rooms to accommodate both chilled and frozen cargo and mobile racks to optimise space. The warehouse management system is fully integrated with the PPECB (Perishable Produce Export Control Board) database to ensure regulatory compliance and full traceability.”
The inauguration of the MEDLOG cold store facility symbolises MSC’s enduring partnership and investment plan for South Africa. With a vision for further expansion and development, MSC reaffirms its commitment to supporting South Africa’s journey towards sustainability, self-reliance and an exciting, prosperous future.
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