The South Africa to UK/Europe perishables trade saw a significant reduction in refrigerated cargo damage last year thanks to 360 Quality Association efforts, the group said in its January newsletter.
The association, which imposes and regulates perishable cargo shipping standards (the 360 Quality Code) on its specialised reefer vessel and port terminal operator members, monitored then modified cargo handling operations at FPT terminals in Durban, Maputo and Gijima, with successful results, it said.
A similar achievement was recorded in the Florida-Flushing concentrate trade after working with port operator the Ambassador Service in Cape Canaveral.
The 360 Quality Association, whose members include Maestro Reefers, NYKCool, Seatrade Group and Star Reefers, added it would continue to promote cooperation with international retailers and insurers this year.
Association executives visited a number of European companies during the course of 2011 to explain the benefits of 360-Quality-Code certification.
Some retailers now include 360 Quality requirements in their contracts, and certain insurance underwriters are considering adopting the 360 Quality vessel inspection criteria as the industry standard, the group said.
Meanwhile, some US trucking companies have expressed an interest in joining the Association.
The 360 Quality Code was launched in 2005 to prevent damage to cargo and preserve food safety during carriage and handling.
