Global logistics giant Maersk has officially completed its R1.72-billion cold-chain infrastructure investment in South Africa with the opening of the R800-million Maersk Belcon Cold Store Logistics Park in Bellville, Cape Town.
Located at Transnet Park, the new Belcon facility is the final piece in Maersk’s multi-site expansion, following the Cato Ridge and PreCool cold stores in KwaZulu-Natal. Together, these facilities form part of Maersk’s strategy to strengthen South Africa’s fruit export sector by ensuring an unbroken cold chain from farm to market.
Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Maersk Southern Africa & Islands MD Lubabalo Mtya said the project was commissioned to support agricultural exports from the Western Cape. “Our goal is to facilitate an unbroken cold chain from farm to final markets,” said Mtya, noting that the grape industry loses up to R1.5-billion annually due to delays and cold chain failures.
Maersk’s Regional MD for the Indian Subcontinent, Middle East and Africa, Richard Morgan, said the Belcon cold store had exceeded expectations since its commissioning in June, performing exceptionally well during the citrus export season in August. “We’re confident it will deliver the same during the upcoming grape season,” he added.
The Belcon Cold Store Logistics Park includes a cold store and depot with provision for a second-phase expansion. The site features 10 088 pallet positions, 240 reefer plug points, seven loading docks, 248 container wash bays, six holding rooms, and six Steri chambers. Construction began in April 2024, with the first pallets received in May and a peak monthly volume of 18 692 pallets achieved in July.
A 2.2 MW solar PV installation is planned for April 2026, reinforcing Maersk’s sustainability goals. Its strategic Bellville location allows both rail and truck access to the Port of Cape Town, as well as efficient transport links to farms across the region.
Industry leaders welcomed the opening, calling it a game-changer for export competitiveness. Citrus Growers’ Association chairperson Gerrit van der Merwe said facilities like Belcon empower local farmers to compete globally. “Our competition isn’t the farm next door anymore, it’s countries like Peru, Chile, and Spain,” he said.
Read | Maersk launches its cold store near Durban
South African Table Grape Industry CEO Mecia Petersen highlighted that fruit production had increased by 19% over the past five years, with 61% of output exported, equating to 3.7 million tons. “Growing quality fruit isn’t enough anymore,” she said. “We need reliable logistics – that’s the backbone of being a trusted supplier.”
She added that while South Africa’s ports still face challenges, improvements are visible. The fruit sector employs 320 000 people and supports 1.28 million dependants, including 105 000 workers in the table grape industry.
With the Belcon facility now operational, Maersk’s R1.7-billion investment marks a major milestone for South Africa’s export logistics, strengthening its position as a reliable global supplier of fresh produce.
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