Nairobi cool-chain facility to open in July

The largest cargo handling facility at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is on schedule to complete its first phase in July 2010, when it will commence handling of both import and export traffic.

The brand new Transglobal Cargo Centre (TCC) will be the first fresh produce and cargo handling facility in Africa to incorporate a multi-storey ETV (elevating transfer vehicle)-based perishables handling system. This cool-chain ETV system will have capacity for storing 160 pallets – the equivalent of more than four 747 freighter loads.

The final phase of the giant TCC fresh produce and cargo handling facility will enable it to accept export perishables traffic. It will also mark the end of a one and half-year building programme, representing an investment of US$16.2 million to provide a state-of-the-art handling facility with direct airside access.

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has the second highest cargo throughput in Africa, at 290,500 tonnes in 2009, up five percent on the previous year. The airport is currently served by almost 40 scheduled airlines. TCC will have an estimated cargo handling capacity of 250,000 tonnes per annum.
(source:cargonewsasia)