SOUTH AFRICA – The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has fortified its logistical commitment to South Africa with the grand opening of its state-of-the-art ZAR 350 million (USD 18.36 million) cold storage facility, a first-of-its-kind for the global shipping giant.
Located strategically at 8 121005 Street, Chesterville, just under 10km from the bustling Port of Durban, the Medlog cold storage facility is poised to address the surging demand for cold chain warehousing in the region.
At a glittering ceremony attended by esteemed local and national business leaders from logistics, wholesale, retail, and the producer chain, MSC South Africa Chairman, Captain Salvatore Sarno, and his wife Sandra, officially inaugurated the state-of-the-art facility.
The ceremony underlined the company’s commitment to investing in South Africa, a testament to the company’s resilience in navigating challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Captain Salvatore Sarno highlighted the Medlog cold storage facility as the latest addition to MSC’s ongoing series of investments in South Africa, totaling an impressive R2 billion since the onset of the pandemic in 2019.
Noteworthy projects include the recently inaugurated Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban, showcasing MSC’s commitment to fortifying its presence in the country.
Sarno shed light on the role of Medlog as the logistics arm of MSC in Geneva, a well-established entity in Europe poised to gain recognition in South Africa. He emphasized that all future logistics activities in the region would operate under the Medlog name.
MSC CEO Soren Toft underscored the special connection between MSC and South Africa, dating back to the opening of its Durban office in 1971.
Toft painted a vivid picture of MSC’s global prominence, operating over 800 ships, including five aircraft, traversing 300 routes and calling at 520 ports across 150 countries.
He emphasized the company’s commitment to providing exceptional personal service, positioning MSC as a humble servant in the global supply chain.
Acknowledging South Africa as the birthplace of shipping, Toft highlighted MSC’s investment of over R1 billion in infrastructure, creating new job opportunities, and facilitating the training of thousands of young individuals.
Expressing a commitment to assisting South Africa in realizing its vision of sustainability, economic prosperity, and self-reliance, Toft emphasized the crucial role MSC plays in shaping the nation’s future.
KwaZulu Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube lauded MSC’s investment, recognizing the facility’s potential to enhance the country’s supply chain system and generate employment opportunities.
Dube-Ncube affirmed the province’s commitment to providing necessary support, with a focus on promoting exports and addressing port congestion challenges.
The inauguration of the Medlog cold storage facility not only positions MSC as a key player in South Africa’s logistics landscape but also underscores its dedication to supporting the nation’s economic growth and sustainability.
As the facility becomes operational, it is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting the growing demands of the cold logistics market and contributing to the nation’s job creation and export promotion goals.
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