Firstly, what would you say are the most important considerations for ensuring reliable cool chains in sea transport?
Container-to-Container, voyage by voyage, the sea transportation faces huge challenges not only from weather Gods but technology as well which impacts the crew of the ship and the captain.
Reliable cool chains are developed and implemented by those having good knowledge of the product integrity that are being shipped under such extenuating circumstances at the port. In other words, it is simply not the same - as cut flower transportation by sea should be limited to perennials, or hybrid of roses that withstands rapid temperature changes - between loading, unloading and onward transportation of the consignment using other modes - or better say interrmodal.
If you take fruits and vegetables, it is another story as quality inspections at main gateway ports delay especially in safety and security matters.
The cool chain dimensions can be complicated by demands of other stakeholders and regulatory authorities involved in perishable products like fish ( salmonella scare). poultry ( bird flu scare) and meat ( mad-cow disease scare). It challenges all involved - the carriers, shippers and end customers.
What are the common problems faced in ensuring cool chains?
Seamless transportation among target customers - going back and forth - between ports. The problems could be human factor or technology factor. Lack of standards in the maritime community among different trading nations also contribute to problems at sea.
Personally on my study voyage on large vessels of 4th generation category carrying 4800 TEUs ( 1999 and 2001)between ports on the Middle east, via Suez Canal and then on to those in the Mediterranean and Baltic Sea - it is not the same experience. Some ports are dedicated to handle reefer containers and others languish for want of a developed transportation infrastructure.
In one case of the leg journey between port of Jeddah and Dubai, there was mix up of containers and some reefer units had to crises cross journeys delaying clearance for want of right documentation and compliance to rules.
All this impacts the quality of cargo in a cool chain.
Are there any issues particular to the Middle East?
Of course, this quite obvious that the ports in Middle East are faced with humidity and temperature control systems. Managing a supply chain of perishable products has different approaches as they say from farm to the plate especially for fruits and vegetables. Because of high rate of deterioration and decomposition that occurs in the sea transportation with changing weather patterns affecting the quality of the product,
Can such principles of SCM be applied to the fresh fruit and vegetable industry that tends to be characterised by large numbers of small growers in dispersed locations with disparate products of variable quality, and who exist in an environment of mistrust and dubious loyalties?
Let the shippers and carriers carry on a strategic alliance based on care for customers in different markets.
What developments would you highlight which will improve cool chains, particularly in relation to sea freight, in the future?
With my background in training and development, it must be admitted that knowledge and skills in maritime logistics competency is totally lacking and retracts from it the best practices of professional management of people - for all at different levels. As producers and consumers of perishable products, everyone has a stake in safe consignment of the sea freight cargo.
Do you feel that the Cool Chain Quality Indicators will have an impact in the Middle East region?
It will always impact as the quality is of first concern and a casualty in the perishable products management by sea transportation - It is expected that all parties involved in the production, packing, storage, transport, distribution and marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables do everything correctly in the chain from farm to plate.
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