The countdown is on to Cool Logistics 2011, the established global forum for perishable transport and logistics, which takes place on 26-28 September this year in Antwerp, Belgium.
Confirmed in the role of keynote speaker is Thomas Eskesen, global head of refrigerated business for shipping giant Maersk Line, who will deliver a global carrier speech – following on neatly from the June launch of Maersk's manifesto for change, announced by group CEO Eivind Kolding, which called for radical changes in the way that ocean carriers and shippers do business.
In his speech, Eskesen is set to give the carrier's thoughts on key trends in the global refrigerated container trades and discuss the specific implications of its change manifesto for shippers of chilled and frozen cargo.
'The issues raised by Maersk Line are particularly pertinent to perishable shippers and in fact have been voiced by a number of prominent producers and cargo owners at previous Cool Logistics conferences,' said Rachael White, joint event director for Cool Logistics. 'For many temperature-controlled cargoes, including fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled meat and fish, sensitive flower bulbs and high-value pharmaceuticals, on-time delivery is utterly critical to product out-turn and final market value. With global rivalry now the reality for many perishable trades, reliable transport and logistics makes the difference between success and failure in world markets.
'How to reduce waste, improve efficiencies and gain greater transparency along international perishable supply chains has been a major topic of discussion at Cool Logistics since 2009,' added White. 'Our focus this year is on how to achieve more joined-up planning and action to improve end-to-end cold chain performance and we are very pleased to welcome Maersk Line to the debate.'
