Fresh Produce Terminals (FPT) Durban has become the first export terminal in the world to be awarded the 360 Quality Code, the standard formed in 2005 and aimed at raising the quality of cargo care and meeting the demands of the reefer market.
The terminal, a subsidiary of South Africa-based fresh produce group Capespan, has been awarded the standard for its strong product handling and 'first-class' facilities.
'The accreditation instills fruit handling responsibility by ensuring a good temperature regime, plus less cargo handling,' said Neville de Klerk, general manager at FPT Durban. 'What's more, with 360 Quality accreditation, it's easy to provide exporters and producers with continual product status feedback – and, should quality issues arise, the gaps can be closed promptly.
'By using terminals that maintain the 360 quality code standards, shipping lines can guarantee products arriving at their destination in mint condition,' he added.
'Having travelled extensively to export terminals around the world, few of them can compare to the Durban port,' said Dawie Ferreira, CEO of Capespan Logistics. 'It certainly deserves the 360 Quality accreditation.'
In July, Dutch reefer terminal Kloosterboer Vlissingen became the first reefer terminal handler to be awarded the certification by the 360 Quality Association.
