Container Scheduling Proposals

1. Container Supply

1.1 Communication Gaps

Communication between shipping lines and industry organisations about long-term crop projections, seasonal estimates, and short-term crop changes is lacking and can impact container supply (short and long term).
Actions:

• Initiate regular pre-season communication with shipping lines
• Regular crop updates to be communicated to shipping lines
  Responsible: Hortgro
  Priority: C
  Notes: Hortgro to initiate a formal pre-season meeting with shipping lines to discuss crop forecasts and issues of mutual concern.

1.2 Inflated Exporter Demands

Exporters tend to inflate demands during shortages, leading to late cancellations and last-minute re-allocation of containers.
Actions:

• Shipping lines and booking agents to introduce incentives for accurate forecasts
• Include in pre-season discussions
  Responsible: Hortgro
  Priority: B
  Notes: Last-minute market switches aggravate the problem. Hortgro to include the issue in pre-seasonal discussion.

2. Container Availability

2.1 Urban Traffic Delays

Pick-up times of empty containers coincide with peak urban traffic, causing late arrivals at loading points.
Actions:

• Incentivise Bellcon container depot concept
• Investigate feasibility of earlier depot opening times
  Responsible: Project (Generic)
  Priority: A+
  Notes: Andy Cornell to circulate trial results. Discuss night loading.

2.2 Container Lifespan & Maintenance

Recessionary trade conditions may force shipping lines to extend container lifespan, risking cold chain integrity.
Actions:

• Obtain and analyse factual information (PPECB)
• Discuss supply of newer containers with shipping lines
  Responsible: PPECB, Hortgro
  Priority: C
  Notes: Request younger containers for sensitive fruit, especially during high ambient temperatures.

2.3 Container Rejection at Loading Points

Some containers slip through inspection and are rejected at loading points.
Actions:

• Compile and analyse records (ongoing)
• Include plug points in loading point approval
• Loading points to have checklists for set points, cables, etc.
• Charge shipping lines if set points must be corrected at loading point
  Responsible: PPECB
  Priority: B

2.4 Depot Operator Relations

Poor relations/attitude of some empty depot operators hinder urgent requests.
Actions:

• Educate depot staff on fruit knowledge and urgency
  Responsible: PAG
  Priority: C

2.4 Fruit Specification

2.4.1 Inaccurate Stock Figures

Late transfer of electronic files or wrong assumptions about fruit temperature cause late bookings and delays.
Actions:

• Service level agreements (SLAs) between cold stores and exporters
• Basic SLA as guideline for industry
  Responsible: Packhouse cold stores
  Priority: B

2.4.2 IT System Incompatibility

Incompatibility of IT systems causes inaccurate stock records.
Actions:

• Take corrective action where incompatibility is identified
  Responsible: Packhouse cold stores
  Priority: B

2.4.3 Poor Cut-off Discipline

Poor discipline regarding cut-off times puts pressure on scheduling.
Actions:

• SOPs between exporter and booking agent to spell out cut-off times
• Enforce cut-off times and/or consider incentives
  Responsible: Booking agent
  Priority: A

2.4.4 Lack of Fruit/Process Knowledge

A lack of basic fruit and process knowledge causes poor communication and urgency.
Actions:

• Identify, create, publicise, and motivate
  Responsible: PAG
  Priority: A+

2.4.5 24/7 Availability

Attitude and willingness to be available 24/7 is required for corrective action.
Actions:

• SLA between exporter and agent to spell out criteria
  Responsible: Packhouse cold store
  Priority: B

2.4.6 Last Day Cancellations

Cancellation of booked containers on the last day of stack leads to inefficiency.
Actions:

• Incentives from shipping lines and agents
  Responsible: Booking Agents
  Priority: A

2.5 Contracting Transport

2.5.1 Truck Reliability

Reliability and roadworthiness of trucks are not enforced.
Actions:

• Feedback and follow-up by cold stores
• Include undertakings from transporter in SLA
• Prepare checklist for loading point
  Responsible: Loading points, Agents, PAG
  Priority: B

2.5.2 Incorrect Cargo Weight

Incorrect cargo weight declaration is a serious problem.
Actions:

• Use standard weight lists
• Loading point to check and correct declared weight
• Spell out seriousness to agents and loading points
  Responsible: Booking agents, Loading points, Shipping lines
  Priority: A

2.5.3 Overweight Containers

Overweight containers stopped at weighbridges cause delays and losses.
Actions:

• Cooperation between driver and loading point
• Evaluate feasibility of self-control system
  Responsible: Booking agents, Hortgro
  Priority: B

2.5.4 Poor Delay Communication

Poor communication of delays prevents proactive steps.
Actions:

• Strict discipline for non-compliance by drivers
• Loading points to report non-compliance
• Include in SLA
  Responsible: Transporters, Loading points, Booking agents
  Priority: A

2.5.5 Unreliable Transport Contractors

Unreliable contractors disrupt schedules.
Actions:

• Report and blacklist unreliable transporters
• Record deviations
  Responsible: Loading point
  Priority: A

2.5.6 CTO Process

The CTO (Container Terminal Order) process is time-consuming and outdated.
Actions:

• Evaluate impact of new Transnet Navis system
• Initiate development/enhancement if needed
• PAG discussions with Transnet
  Responsible: Generic, Project, PAG
  Priority: A+

2.5.7 Loading Timeslots

Realistic loading timeslots are often lacking.
Actions:

• Enforce realistic loading times
• Transporter discipline to stick to timeslots
• Consider financial incentives
  Responsible: Booking agent, PPECB, Loading Points
  Priority: A+

2.5.8 TTTs (Time Temperature Tolerances)

TTTs are not always adhered to.
Actions:

• Monitor TTTs more accurately (PPECB)
• Evaluate new technology for temperature monitoring
  Responsible: PAG
  Priority: A

2.5.9 Delays to Power Coupling

Delays from loading to coupling containers to power points threaten cold chain.
Actions:

• Improve monitoring system
• Follow-up action
  Responsible: PPECB
  Priority: A+

2.5.10 Last Day Bookings

Bulk bookings on the last day of stack cause inefficiency.
Actions:

• Spell out importance of even bookings
• Identify/evaluate incentives to reduce last day loadings
  Responsible: PAG
  Priority: A+

2.5.11 Dual Loads

Increase in dual loads requires special procedures.
Actions:

• Evaluate rules for dual loads
• Compile guidelines for pome fruit
  Responsible: PAG, PPECB
  Priority: A

2.5.12 Container Cable Theft

Cable theft is a serious and disruptive issue.
Actions:

• Drivers to take accountability
• Include in loading point checklist
  Responsible: Loading Points
  Priority: B

2.5.13 Vehicle Exhaust Position

Exhaust pipes can cause fumes to enter containers.
Actions:

• All vehicles to comply
• Include in SLA
• Check vehicles at empty depot gate and loading point
  Responsible: Transporter, Agent, Empty depot, Loading Point
  Priority: B

3. Fruit Loading

3.1 PPECB Availability

PPECB officials cannot always be present at all loading points, causing delays.
Actions:

• Evaluate auditing vs. monitoring role by PPECB
• Improve communication between PPECB and loading points
  Responsible: PPECB, PAG
  Priority: A+

3.2 Lack of Cooled Airlocks

Most cold stores lack cooled airlocks, preventing effective pre-staging.
Actions:

• Motivate provision of airlocks
• Evaluate alternatives (e.g., pallet shrouds, holding stores)
• Effective communication
  Responsible: PAG, Loading points
  Priority: B

3.3 Loading Point Accountability

Loading points not always accountable for container condition and fruit protocols.
Actions:

• Spell out responsibilities
• Implement control system (checklist)
  Responsible: PAG
  Priority: B

3.4 Power Plug Points

Most cold stores lack power plug points to check container temperature.
Actions:

• Motivate installation of plug points
  Responsible: PAG
  Priority: A

3.5 Random Access to Pallets

Cold stores not geared for random access to individual pallets, causing delays.
Actions:

• Apply sound cold store management
• Insist on early specifications
• Effective pallet replacement procedures
  Responsible: Loading points, Exporter
  Priority: B

3.6 Hi-Cube Pallet Handling

Older cold stores not converted for hi-cube pallets.
Actions:

• Upgrade facilities
  Responsible: PAG
  Priority: B

3.7 Cold Sterilisation Markets

Increase in markets requiring cold sterilisation; PPECB presence required.
Actions:

• Early advice
• Proactive arrangements with PPECB/DAFF
  Responsible: Booking agent
  Priority: A

3.8 IT System Compatibility

IT systems at exporter and cold stores not always compatible.
Actions:

• Evaluate seriousness
  Responsible: PAG
  Priority: A

3.9 Poor Stock Management

Leads to costly delays.
Actions:

• Loading points to accept cost for delays
• Monitor delays
  Responsible: Loading points, Booking agent
  Priority: A

3.10 Disruptive Quality Control

Quality control during loading is disruptive.
Actions:

• Do quality control prior to loading
  Responsible: Loading points
  Priority: C

3.11 Poor Communication of Delays

Poor communication of delayed cooling or stock differences causes futile trips/delays.
Actions:

• Early advice of deviations
• Proactive steps
  Responsible: Loading points, Booking agent
  Priority: C

3.12 Lack of Training

Training in basic fruit knowledge and processes is lacking.
Actions:

• Identify existing training tools
• Advise/motivate role-players
  Responsible: PAG
  Priority: A+

3.13 Overloading Accountability

Loading points do not realise accountability for overloading containers.
Actions:

• Spell out consequences and accountability
  Responsible: PAG
  Priority: C

3.14 Peak Season Cooling Capacity

Peak season puts cooling capacity to the test.
Actions:

• Effective capacity planning
• Effective communication
• Adjust cooling rate criteria
  Responsible: Loading points, Exporters
  Priority: A

3.15 Full Cold Stores

Full cold stores make locating specific pallets difficult.
Actions:

• Effective cold store management
• Pre-staging under cool conditions
• Practical pallet replacement procedure
  Responsible: Loading points, Exporter
  Priority: C

3.16 Lack of Loading Statistics Analysis

Lack of analysis leads to missed corrective steps.
Actions:

• Good recordkeeping
• Effective analysis and follow-up
  Responsible: Loading points
  Priority: C

4. Container Shipping

4.1 Driver Sensitivity to Cold Chain

Drivers not always sensitive to cold chain integrity, causing TTT to be exceeded.
Actions:

• Basic driver training
• Monitor TTT
• Transporter to accept liability
  Responsible: Transporter, PPECB
  Priority: A

4.2 Stack Time Changes

Reaction to changed stack times sometimes lacking, especially after hours.
Actions:

• Operational staff contactable 24/7 (include in SLA)
• Timely action
  Responsible: Booking agent
  Priority: B

4.3 Vessel By-Pass Notification

Late notification of vessels by-passing port disrupts scheduling.
Actions:

• Shipping lines to be aware of consequences
• Proactive anticipation
• Prepare shipping education lecture
  Responsible: Shipping lines, Booking agent
  Priority: C

4.4 Terminal Standing Times

Excessive standing times at terminals during tea breaks and shift changes.
Actions:

• Evaluate situation
• Discuss solutions with terminal managers
  Responsible: PAG
  Priority: C

Rating Structure

• Priority A+: Issue is very important and needs to be addressed as a high priority
• Priority A: Issue is important and needs to be addressed
• Priority B: Issue needs attention but is not critical
• Priority C: Issue is a concern or can be addressed relatively quickly