DP World is a global end-to-end supply chain services provider offering solutions for various sectors, including the perishables industry, in which the company sees huge growth opportunities.
"We have made big investments in end-to-end solutions for the perishable industry," said Kai Olschner, DP World's Global Vice President of Supply Chain Engineering. "With our cold chain offerings, we have implemented the use of various technologies such as thermal blankets, dry ice, and active containers, which maintain stable temperatures for the goods we move throughout their journeys.
"We also have a new initiative launching at the end of the year to bring fresh produce from Morocco into Europe and the UK using our terminals. Traditionally goods are moved by trucks on this route, but we are changing this and now moving them onto ships, thereby reducing the carbon footprint by about 70%. This is not a hop-on, hop-off bus system, but a unique solution for the industry. We are convinced that shipping, with its reduced emissions and greater reliability, is the better option."
The shipping industry has experienced challenges in the last few years, firstly COVID-19 caused major disruptions and delays, including rate increases. Since then, the industry has had to deal with climate issues and geopolitical issues which created major obstacles and affected reliability.
"In the past, shipping companies have just shipped produce from A to B and haven't really focused on the end-to-end service needs and longer lead times. One of our main areas of focus is to keep lead times down by making the time in port faster and getting the product where it needs to be on time end-to-end. It is our job to find a way to do this. For example, you can fly produce to Chicago in 8 hours, but that produce can take another 48 hours to be released. This is down to bureaucracy. However, we can use technology to implement processes to make the port process faster."
"Our own IT platform Cargoes allows for this, offering end-to-end integration of logistics, customs, and terminal operations to enhance efficiency. They provide real-time tracking, predictive analytics, and automation to streamline processes and reduce delays. DP World is continuously enhancing Cargoes to predict potential disruptions, such as weather issues or supply chain changes, allowing proactive solutions to keep goods moving smoothly."
"In addition to improving efficiency, we also prioritise sustainability. Through our cold chain solutions, we are part of the Move to -15°C initiative, a global coalition working to cut carbon emissions. The global potential is at 17.7 million tonnes. This is done through the raising of the standard storage temperature of frozen goods from -18°C to -15°C - without compromising quality - which significantly reduces energy consumption and lowers the industry's overall carbon footprint."
"We believe in actively listening to our customers, understanding their needs and pain points, and staying open to new solutions. This approach drives our efforts to help trade flow. For example, we recently enhanced our perishables supply chain in Romania, by opening up new routes for fruit producers in the country to new markets in the Middle East. This allowed Romanian suppliers to tap into new regions that were previously out of reach, but also provided greater access to foreign goods for customers in the Middle East."
"At DP World, we are committed to building smarter, more sustainable, and more resilient supply chains. By developing new trade lanes and investing in key logistics hubs, we are strengthening our role as a global leader in end-to-end logistics. Our investments in London Gateway and inland terminals across Europe reflect our dedication to enhancing connectivity and efficiency. At the same time, we recognise the untapped potential of regions like West Africa, where trade with Europe remains underdeveloped. Our investment in Senegal's Port of Dakar is a testament to our belief in bridging these gaps and unlocking new opportunities for businesses and economies alike."
"As global trade continues to evolve, our focus remains on innovation, sustainability, and delivering solutions that meet the needs of today's customers while shaping the supply chains of tomorrow."
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