KHOLD – COEGA FRUIT TERMINAL is a Cold storage facility establishment in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa
KHOLD – COEGA FRUIT TERMINAL: Summary of Services and Customer Experience
KHOLD’s Coega facility in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) represents a pioneering approach to fruit logistics in South Africa. Marketed as the world’s first facility to combine fruit packing, refrigerated warehousing and container depot activities under one roof, the operation is positioned to streamline the cold chain from packing to shipping. The site is located within Coega’s Special Economic Zone, expanding KHOLD’s reach into the Eastern Cape, a region recognised for rapid growth in citrus production.
From a customer experience perspective, the Coega facility functions as a comprehensive, end-to-end solution for cooling, handling and transporting fruit destined for export, import or local markets. The integrated model aims to reduce handling steps and road transport, thereby supporting faster cooling and heightened export quality. The breadth of on-site capabilities is designed to deliver a seamless workflow for fresh fruit producers, exporters and distributors seeking reliable cold chain management in one location.
Main services offered
- Fruit packing and processing – A state-of-the-art packing facility occupying around 16,000 square metres, equipped with automated packing lines, de-greening facilities and specific lines for local market packs. The operation supports both export and local market packaging, with dedicated palletised storage processes designed to maintain fruit quality from early handling through to dispatch.
- Refrigerated warehousing – The cold storage operation features individually temperature-controlled cells and a total capacity aimed to accommodate large and smaller consignments. The facility emphasises energy-efficient design with airlock entries and exits to maintain strict temperature management and optimised cooling times for fruit destined for various markets.
- Container depot and reefer support – The site includes a reefer container depot with 240 plug-in points and full container handling capabilities. Reefer inspection, maintenance and preparation services help ensure container readiness and continuous availability, even when external port operations are disrupted. The depot supports on-site plug-ins and on-site container handling to minimise delays.
- Cold treatment and small consignments – The storage configuration allows for cold-treatment options and supports consignments as small as 40 pallets, offering flexibility for growers and exporters needing shorter lead times or phased shipments.
In addition to the Coega facility, KHOLD’s broader operations include Maydon Wharf in Durban and Bayhead in Durban, offering multi-temperature warehousing, breakbulk and container handling adjacent to major port terminals. These sites underscore KHOLD’s capability to manage entire cold chains across multiple key hubs in South Africa.
Typical job types and industries
The primary customer groups are producers and exporters of citrus and other fresh produce, importers seeking reliable cold storage, and distributors requiring efficient localisation of packaging, storage and transit. Typical activities include fruit packing for export and local markets, palletised cold storage, bin washing and nesting, and the preparation and inspection of reefer containers for international transport. The combined packing, storage and container depot model is particularly suited to citrus and other perishable goods requiring strict temperature control and streamlined export workflows.
How requests usually work
KHOLD combines multiple services under one roof, enabling customers to manage packing, storage and container logistics in a single location. The Coega site integrates a container depot with reefer plug-ins and on-site packing, allowing requests to move from packing to storage and on to container loading without multiple handoffs. The NeXL platform, KHOLD’s digital container transport solution, supports visibility and allocation of transport resources, helping customers track progress, ensure reliable pickup windows and optimise transport costs.
Practical tips for customers
- Confirm storage temperature requirements early, as KHOLD’s cells offer individual temperature control suited to different fruit types.
- Leverage on-site packing and local market lines to reduce handling steps and speed up time-to-market for both export and domestic sales.
- Coordinate with NeXL for transport visibility and efficient container scheduling, especially when port operations experience intermittent delays.
- Plan for reefer container readiness by using the depot’s inspection and maintenance services to minimise delays during loading.
- Consider the facility’s capacity for smaller consignments if rapid replenishment or staggered shipments are needed.
Hours, location and service area
KHOLD’s Coega facility is located within the Coega Special Economic Zone in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. The site serves as a regional hub for the Eastern Cape’s growing citrus sector, offering an integrated solution that supports export, import and local market movements. While specific operating hours are not published here, the facility’s multi-service model is designed to accommodate varied schedules aligned with packing, storage, container handling and transport logistics common to fresh produce supply chains.
Customer impressions
Visitor feedback recognises KHOLD Coega as a “world first one stop shop” for fruit logistics, combining a container depot with reefer plug points, cold rooms, packing facilities and a transport division. While experiences vary, reviewers frequently point to the facility’s comprehensive scope and potential to streamline handling, with some noting opportunities for ongoing improvement in service aspects and premises presentation.
Gqeberha
Eastern Cape
South Africa
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Cold storage facility services in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape
In Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, cold storage facilities cater to a diverse range of temperature-controlled storage needs for perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, and high-value items. These facilities are typically designed to support the movement of seasonal and year-round commodities from local producers to national and regional markets. The services offered are framed to ensure product integrity, regulatory compliance, and efficient handling across the supply chain.
Core offerings commonly found in this region include temperature-controlled storage, which covers refrigerated and frozen environments. Refrigerated storage is used for fresh produce, dairy, meat, and other goods that require cooling to slow biological processes. Frozen storage is employed for items that necessitate lower temperatures to preserve quality over longer periods. Some facilities provide blast freezing capabilities to rapidly reduce product temperature and minimise the formation of large ice crystals, helping to maintain texture and shelf life.
Beyond temperature control, many sites provide multi-temperature configurations within the same complex. This enables the segregation of products with different storage requirements, reducing cross-contamination risks and simplifying inventory management. Depending on the operation, dry or ambient storage may be available for non-perishable goods or packaging materials, allowing a single site to handle diverse logistical needs.
Operational workflows typically revolve around receiving, storage, order preparation, and dispatch. Incoming goods are inspected for temperature integrity and packaging condition, with records kept for traceability. Items are then stored according to their required climate zone, with inventory managed to optimise space utilisation and rotate stock based on expiry dates or batch information. When orders are placed, items are retrieved, quality-checked, and prepared for loading onto outbound transport. The aim is to minimise handling to protect product quality and reduce the risk of temperature excursions.
Customers can expect a combination of practical features designed to maintain product safety and traceability. Temperature monitoring systems are standard, with continuous recording and alert mechanisms in place to flag any deviation. In many facilities, access controls and hygiene protocols are implemented to meet food safety and handling expectations. Depending on the commodity, facilities may also support controlled atmospheres, humidity control, or specialised shelving and racking to optimise airflow and maintenance of uniform temperatures.
Freight logistics play a crucial role in the Gqeberha context, where proximity to the harbour and transport corridors can streamline distribution. Facilities often coordinate with transport partners to arrange timely dispatch, consolidate shipments, and manage peak demand periods. Availability of loading bays, pallet handling equipment, and forklift access contributes to efficient throughput. Some sites offer value-added services such as repackaging, label application, or kitting to support downstream supply chain needs, though the extent of these services varies across providers.
Customers selecting a cold storage partner in Gqeberha are advised to consider several practical aspects. Storage capacity and temperature stability are fundamental, followed by access hours, auditing capabilities, and the clarity of inventory records. The reliability of power supplies, backup generation, and contingency planning for power outages is also important, given regional electricity considerations. Compliance expectations, including product-specific requirements and documentation for traceability, should be reviewed to ensure alignment with business standards. Transport readiness, including proximity to major routes and the harbour, can influence total lead times and cost efficiency.
In summary, cold storage facilities in Gqeberha provide essential climate-controlled storage options, multi-temperature configurations, and integrated handling to support the region’s dynamic food, pharmaceutical, and retail sectors. By focusing on temperature integrity, efficient material handling, and reliable logistics support, these facilities help safeguard product quality from receipt through to final delivery, supporting businesses across the Eastern Cape and beyond.
- Refrigerated storage
- Frozen storage
- Blast freezing and quick chilling
- Multi-temperature configurations
- Inventory management and traceability
- Loading, unloading, and dispatch support