Belcon cold store boosts South Africa logistics

Maersk, a global leader in integrated logistics, has officially inaugurated the Belcon Cold Store facility in Cape Town, marking a major milestone in its investment of over US$100mn in South Africa’s cold chain infrastructure

This strategic move reinforces Maersk’s long-term commitment to the South African economy and its dedication to supporting businesses through advanced logistics solutions.

The launch of Belcon Cold Store highlights Maersk’s continued focus on enhancing South Africa’s vital cold chain logistics network, a key pillar of the nation’s perishable exports sector. South Africa’s cold-chain exports, led by fresh produce such as citrus and table grapes, represent a significant portion of its agricultural output.

“Maersk has been invested and present in South Africa for over three decades, and our ambition has never been stronger. We are committed to building and delivering logistics solutions that create tangible value for our customers and their businesses, while contributing to South Africa's economic prosperity and the livelihoods of its people,” said Lubabalo Mtya, managing director of Maersk Southern Africa & Islands.

Addressing a critical industry challenge

South Africa’s grape industry has faced recurring issues in maintaining cold chain integrity, with delays and disruptions causing losses estimated at up to 1.5 billion Rand annually. Inconsistent performance across the cold-chain logistics market has impacted exporters of temperature-sensitive produce.

“There was a clear need to strengthen South Africa's cold chain infrastructure to minimise these losses and support the competitiveness of local exporters. The Belcon Cold Store directly addresses this critical gap in the market,” added Mtya.

Integrated solutions for reliable exports

With Belcon’s inauguration, Maersk now operates three state-of-the-art cold storage facilities in South Africa, Belcon, Cato, and PreCool. Together, they form a robust network designed to uphold an unbroken cold chain through:

• 32,000 pallet positions

• Strategic proximity to ports in Cape Town and Durban

• Rail sidings and highway connections for multimodal efficiency

• An on-site container depot for streamlined cargo handling

• Renewable energy systems to support decarbonisation efforts

These facilities became fully operational in the second half of 2025, delivering tangible results during the citrus season by maintaining product quality and reducing waste in the supply chain.

As a leading integrated logistics provider, Maersk offers comprehensive services extending beyond ocean freight. Customers exporting perishables through its South African network benefit from end-to-end logistics solutions, including consolidation, temperature-controlled storage, customs brokerage, terminal handling, and both ocean and inland transportation.

“We are listening to our customers and implementing solutions that go beyond business as usual. This integrated approach means we're not only delivering on ocean shipping but providing our customers with complete logistics solutions that address their most pressing challenges,” remarked Mtya.

Maersk’s investment exceeding US$100mn demonstrates its confidence in South Africa’s economic potential and its dedication to strengthening the country’s agricultural and logistics sectors. By ensuring reliable temperature-controlled facilities, Maersk is enabling local exporters to reduce losses, maintain quality, and expand their reach to global markets.

The Belcon Cold Store inauguration further cements Maersk’s role as a strategic partner in South Africa’s agricultural value chain and underscores its mission to deliver logistics solutions that make a meaningful impact on the nation’s economy and communities.