By Eamonn Ryan
October is officially designated Transport Month in South Africa – a time to reflect on the state of our transport infrastructure and its role in keeping the economy moving.
Within the refrigeration, perishable logistics and pharmaceutical sectors, however, we might be forgiven for thinking of it instead as Cold Chain Month. After all, without a functioning cold chain, critical goods may move but they don’t arrive in usable condition.
Logistics under strain
The wider challenges are well-known: congested ports, rail instability, under-resourced road infrastructure, and a concerning rate of truck-related accidents. For cold chain operators, these problems are magnified. Time is unforgiving when dealing with perishable food, vaccines, or temperature-sensitive exports. Delays do not just erode margins; they compromise food security, public health and South Africa’s competitiveness in global markets.
Collaboration is non-negotiable
Across the logistics spectrum, industry bodies are emphasising that solutions cannot be developed in isolation. The cold chain, with its strict compliance requirements and technical complexities, is an area where collaboration between government, industry and academia is especially critical. Aligning regulations, strengthening intermodal solutions, and integrating technology platforms are opportunities that require collective effort.
Skills before infrastructure
Investment in new terminals, rail corridors and road upgrades will make little difference without a skilled workforce capable of managing complex supply chains. For cold chain logistics, the demand is even higher: drivers who understand the dynamics of refrigerated transport, technicians trained in maintaining cold storage systems, planners who can optimise routes under time and temperature pressure, and managers skilled in balancing efficiency with compliance. A pipeline of skilled professionals is as essential as any new piece of infrastructure.
A culture of safety
Truck-related accidents remain a national concern, and the risks are heightened in refrigerated transport. Effective safety interventions must go beyond compliance, equipping fleet managers and drivers with real-time monitoring tools, risk-mitigation practices and data-driven insights. Creating a culture of accountability and professional pride within transport teams is central to protecting both human lives and the integrity of the cold chain.
Unlocking SME potential
Small and medium-sized enterprises dominate much of the refrigerated transport and storage sector. Yet they face significant barriers: limited access to finance, gaps in technical knowledge and the absence of structured training. Supporting SMEs through targeted education, mentorship programmes and scalable technology adoption is not just an enterprise development box-tick – it is a strategic investment in strengthening the entire logistics ecosystem.
Reframing the month
Transport Month prompts necessary national reflection. For those of us in the cold chain, it is also an opportunity to reframe the discussion: transport is not only about moving goods, but about safeguarding value, reducing waste and enabling growth in key sectors like agriculture, healthcare and retail.
Perhaps then, a light-hearted rebrand is appropriate. October could well be thought of as Cold Chain Month – a reminder that keeping goods safe and viable is just as important as moving them from A to B. And if collaboration, skills development, safety and SME empowerment remain central, the cold chain can play a leading role in building a logistics system that is both resilient and globally competitive.
Source: Supplied by SAPICS