Cool chain inefficiencies focus at Antwerp conference on September 24

THE annual Cool Logistics conference in Antwerp on September 24-26, aims to bring perishable shippers and retailers together to tackle inefficiencies and reefer shortages as well as spiralling food prices.

Growing food safety legislation in Europe with differing standards across EU states, impacted by the UN backed initiative International Plant Protection Convention Secretariat (IPPC) to minimise pests in containers is likely to affect perishable supply chains.

Food safety in containers, food hygiene, packaging and consumer health represent new topics to be discussed at this conference, drawing attention from food exporters and importers alike.

Speakers will include IPPC standards officer Brent Larson, Vicky Lefevre, director of the Food Centre and Dole Foods SA shipping & logistics manager Andy Connell who will address inefficiencies as a "cancer" in the supply chain. Dole's Mr Connell will discuss the need to train a new generation of perishable supply chain practitioners to minimise inefficiencies in the perishable supply chain from farm to shelf.

Shippers involved in distributing all kinds of perishable produce from fresh fruit to flowers, dairy, pharmaceutical, to frozen seafood will have the opportunity to debate issues such as freight, technology, transport and cold storage infrastructure, environment and global competitiveness with all the leading perishable logistics providers, including Maersk, MSC, Hamburg Sud, Hapag Lloyd, Pacific Seaways, Kuehne + Nagel, Damco, foodcareplus, Hellmann Perishables Worldwide and many others, according to conference organisers.