Joachim Coens
Perishable exporters and importers will have the chance to meet dedicated logistics service providers at the 7th Cool Logistics Conference in Bruges in September.
LONDON, 21.05.2015 – Matching supply and demand for perishable logistics services remains at the heart of the annual Cool Logistics Global conference to be held this year in Bruges, 29 September – 1 October.
“Growing every year, Cool Logistics Global is now the leading forum for the perishable logistics sector, attracting over 250 delegates from more than 35 countries, ” said Alex von Stempel, Managing Director of UK-based Cool Logistics Resources Ltd.
This year’s conference will be opened by Joachim Coens, Chairman, Port of Zeebrugge, the host port and sponsor for 2015. Mr. Coens will address the key challenges faced by 21st century perishable distribution and the role of ports.
Clearly, the effectiveness of perishable supply chains depends not only on the operators active in the market, but also on evaluation of external factors such as evolving consumer habits, demographic changes, geographical shifts in purchasing power, weather patterns and, of course, trade barriers.
On the first two days, the conference will assess the impact of these factors and analyse new trends in global perishables distribution. Sessions will also tackle perennial issues such as investments in new cold store capacity in emerging markets and in new reefer boxes and technology, which should benefit shippers and freight forwarders alike after a protracted period of notorious underinvestment in the sector.
For the first time, the 2015 edition will also provide an analysis of perishables being transported by short sea operators as well as Intra-European container services
Discussion of the cascading effect of bigger vessels being deployed on South-North routes will feature a new twist: Have ports become the Achilles heel of the perishable supply chain? How will smaller ports be affected, especially as the new shipping alliances are concentrating their services on the biggest ports, which have sufficient draft? Are we witnessing a ‘bonanza’ for short sea and feeder operators as a result of this or are the restricted sulphur emissions in northern Europe leading to perishable cargo being ‘driven’ back onto the roads?
Given the increasing complexity of perishable supply chains involving a greater number of countries of origin for perishable commodities such as fruit, protein, food ingredients, matched by more diversified import countries than ever, it appears to be the 3PLs more than the carriers who now act as the pioneers in nurturing and developing new perishable supply chains.
Driving home this message will be the role of Rafael Llerena, CEO of Easyfresh, a Spain-based global reefer logistics operator handling fresh produce, seafood, meat, dairy and all sorts of temperature controlled cargoes. On the third day of the conference, Mr. Llerena will address the contentious issue of whether 3PLs are stealing a march on the carriers by flexing their network capabilities to serve perishable customers.
Shippers, shipping lines and logistics service providers speaking at the event, including Ardo, Maersk, Easyfresh and Kuehne + Nagel, will have the chance to exchange and digest the latest industry news with the growing list of sponsors, including HPL Hellmann Perishable Logistics, Remant, AgroMerchants, AT&T and the Port of Zeebrugge community at the premier event for the temperature-controlled logistics sector.
“Jo”
