CAMEROON – Integrated logistics company A.P Moller–Maersk, has opened a brand-new and technology-driven warehousing and distribution (W&D) facility in Douala, Cameroon that will steer seamless fresh produce logistics in the region.
Situated within the Douala Port Zone, Maersk’s new facility will be the ideal site for the cargo moving in and out of one of the West African coast, serving as a gateway to several markets within Central Africa.
“With the rapid expansion of the middle-class population in the region, there is a growing demand for goods, especially in the fast-moving consumable goods sector,” says Maersk southern West Africa MD Michel Koffi.
He adds the Port of Douala plays a crucial role in meeting this demand, as it handles over 70% of imports into Cameroon, serving both the nation’s population and its landlocked neighbors within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community.
“The conversations with our customers have revealed a gap between the demand and supply for modern W&D facilities that can provide the additional capacity needed in this market,” he says.
This strategic move not only bridges the demand-supply gap, but also offers clients a cost-effective and efficient solution.
“We are expanding our logistics footprint in southern West Africa and will scale up as clients’ demands grow,” says Koffi.
Maersk’s new W&D facility in Douala will be spread over 16 000 m2 including more than 12 000 m2 covered space which can provide for more than 8 000 pallet positions.
Maersk has a clear goal of being net zero by 2040, and every new investment made includes deep consideration of the decarbonization of logistics.
The logistics company has attained multiple notable milestones in other fruit producing regions like the Latin American and Asia banana and pineapples.
Donatella, an Ecuadorian exporter to more than 7 countries worldwide, has worked with Maersk for over 18 years to supply fresh bananas.
“Working with Maersk has given visibility, integrated reefer data and optimizing transparency on reefer cargo has meant efficiency and growth opportunity for our customers,” expressed the exporter.
Additionally, by sourcing directly from farms and understanding the business of exporting pineapples, Maersk has helped a pineapple exporter, Agroprecuarios, to reduce wastage and optimize speed to market.
For Clementina – a citrus exporter in Spain, partnering with Maersk has enabled the company to draw advantages from a single, unbroken supply chain with one point of contact.
As a global integrator, Maersk is in a unique position to provide a differentiated integrated logistics solution that includes safer and faster pick-up from source, tying up with inland rail services and setting up warehousing closer to farms.
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