Continent's biggest cold-storage air facility to open in Nairobi airport

KENYA will soon open the largest cold-chain air cargo handling facility in Africa at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, reports American Shipper.

The airport, served by 40 scheduled airlines, has the second-highest cargo volume in Africa after Johannesburg, up five per cent year on year to 290,500 tons in 2009.

The new US$16.3 million Transglobal Cargo Centre will be the first fresh produce and cargo handling facility in Africa to incorporate a multi-storey cool-chain elevating transfer vehicle, to handle perishables. It can store 160 pallets, or four 747 dedicated freighter loads - or 250,000 tons a year.

It will cover 12,351 square metres of warehousing with 11 truck docks, 10 container workstations, a three-level ETV system, a combined ULD (unit load device) weigh-scale and x-ray unit and six additional security scanners.

The facility will have roller bed access to the cold room. The perishables handling area will be divided into separate temperature zones, including chilled store, and freezer ratings, to cater for the varying needs of different commodities.

Shippers, agents and regulatory staff will also have access to a dedicated 1,000 square metres of perishables inspection and repacking area.

The warehouse is next to a 5,150-square-metre, three-storey offices, which will accommodate Transglobal Cargo Centre staff, and provide accommodation for airlines and freight agents requiring on-site offices.
(Source:www.schednet.com)