A shipping line contracted container park and bulk product packing and distribution centre has opened in Bloemfontein.

The adjacent facilities are the result of agreements between the Bloemfontein Container Park and Logistics Intelligence, in partnership with Onyx Network Holdings.

“We believe this development in Bloemfontein is a huge step towards achieving our vision, which is is to be the leader in the provision of total landside services to the South African freight industry within the next five years,” says Onyx CEO, Jan Nair.

Nair thanked Transnet Freight Rail for their guidance and support. “We recognise the importance of and look forward to the support of all our longstanding and new friends in the freight industry, in the successful pursuit of our goals and objectives,” he added.

Covering 22 000m2, the facilities are designed to make containerisation more cost-effective and sustainable. At full capacity, the facilities will employ more than fifty staff.

The bulk handling side of the facilities boasts a state-of-the-art irrigation system, piloted and developed by the University of the Free State. “This is the first time that this type of stockpile irrigation is being built on site and the goal is to reduce dust and stock loss to zero,” explains Dirch Olsen, senior partner of all three entities. “The impact on the health and safety of employees and the surrounding environment is reduced to the absolute minimum. This is a clean and green site – the most environmentally friendly site of its kind in the country.

“Until now the focus has been on renting railway land and “ducking” when markets go soft. This development is a statement of both faith and intent and belief in the future of South Africa,” concludes Olsen.