Khold is a Cold storage facility establishment in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
KHOLD: Comprehensive overview of cold storage and related services in Durban and beyond
KHOLD operates as South Africa’s largest specialised fresh produce cold storage operator, with a growing footprint that spans Durban’s key harbour precincts and the Eastern Cape. The company describes itself as driven by an innovative mindset and a dedication to service excellence, built on strong values centred on caring for people, clients and assets; leading with innovation; and pursuing excellence in all operations. Its primary focus is the management of temperature-controlled warehousing for fruit, frozen foods and related perishables, supported by a digital transport platform that enhances visibility and reliability across its container logistics network.
In Durban, KHOLD’s operational network centres on three main facilities, each with distinct capabilities designed to meet exporters’, importers’ and local customers’ needs. Maydon Wharf is presented as Durban’s premium fruit cold storage facility, sited on the quayside to enable efficient loading of refrigerated breakbulk vessels as well as reefer containers. The facility houses eight multi-temperature cold rooms and a container plug-in yard supporting 133 refrigerated containers, plus on-site phytosanitary inspection services to facilitate access to major export markets including the European Union, the United Kingdom, China, Japan, India, Russia and the Middle East. The Maydon Wharf site also offers both temperature-controlled warehousing and general cargo storage in open or undercover spaces, ensuring flexibility for various types of perishable cargo.
Bayhead provides KHOLD’s largest refrigerated warehouse in the Durban area, offering frozen and chilled storage with a total capacity of 16,000 pallets and two blast freezers for rapid cooling. This facility is located in the harbour precinct, close to Durban’s main container terminals, and supports both frozen and fresh markets with temperature ranges from -25°C to +10°C. Additional features include state veterinary inspection capabilities and bonded warehousing, all aimed at delivering efficient, end-to-end cold chain solutions with enhanced container handling efficiency for customers.
Coega, near Port Elizabeth, represents a state-of-the-art, multi-functional complex described as the world’s first of its kind to combine fruit packing, refrigerated warehousing and container depot activities under one roof. The Coega site processes fruit packing for both export and local markets, and provides high-tech cold storage capable of handling up to 8,000 pallets within individually temperature-controlled cells. The facility also includes a 240-container reefer depôt, plug-in points and full container handling capabilities, which together facilitate a streamlined export process and reduced handling times. The Coega operation is part of KHOLD’s broader initiative to extend its geographic reach into South Africa’s fast-growing citrus belt in the Eastern Cape.
Beyond warehousing, KHOLD markets NeXL, a digital container transport platform designed to simplify and modernise container movements. NeXL connects customers to a large pool of independently operated transporters, enabling automated allocation, real-time progress tracking, and reliable, transparent payment terms. The service aims to deliver greater visibility and efficiency across short-haul container transport, complementing the physical cold storage capabilities with enhanced logistics management.
The combination of these facilities and services supports a broad spectrum of typical job types and customer needs. KHOLD’s offerings are geared toward fruit exporters and importers, frozen foods, and other temperature-sensitive cargo requiring controlled environments. The on-site phytosanitary inspections at Maydon Wharf and the presence of bonded warehousing at Bayhead demonstrate an emphasis on regulatory compliance and security as part of the customer experience. The integrated Coega facility, with its packing lines and cooling for small-batch consignments, caters to clients seeking scalable, end-to-end solutions from packing through to warehousing and distribution.
Customer experience observations from public reviews suggest a mix of appreciation for capabilities and everyday operational challenges. Positive feedback highlights professional staff, clean facilities, and the scale of storage space. Some reviewers note the area can be dusty due to vessel offloading activity and weather conditions, while others remark on proximity to port terminals as a logistical advantage. Overall, KHOLD is depicted as a substantial, capability-rich operator with a focus on reliability and service, reinforced by its extensive network of facilities and its digital transport platform.
Practical tips for potential customers include planning ahead for phytosanitary and customs considerations, especially for export markets, and being aware of local conditions at Maydon Wharf that may affect dust and access. For those sourcing frozen and chilled storage, Bayhead offers a large, temperature-controlled space with rapid blast-freezing capabilities, while Coega provides a high-tech, integrated option for combined packing and warehousing needs. Engaging with NeXL can improve transparency around container movements and enable smoother scheduling of transport to complement warehousing operations.
- Key facilities: Maydon Wharf (Durban), Bayhead (Durban), Coega (Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth).
- Main services: multi-temperature cold storage, frozen and chilled storage, phytosanitary inspections, bonded warehousing, fruit packing (Coega), container depot operations, and on-site container plug-ins.
- Operational emphasis: end-to-end cold chain for fruit, frozen foods and related perishables; integrated logistics through NeXL.
KHOLD serves South Africa’s premier port and export corridors, aiming to provide reliable, innovative cold storage and related logistics solutions across its network.
Durban
KwaZulu-Natal
South Africa
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Cold Storage Facility Services in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Durban, a coastal hub in KwaZulu-Natal, hosts a range of cold storage facilities designed to support a diverse spectrum of products, from perishables to pharmaceuticals. These facilities are typically purpose-built to maintain specific temperatures, humidity levels, and environmental controls that preserve product quality during storage and transport. The services offered centre on protecting freshness, extending shelf life, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory standards.
Key services commonly provided include storage with temperature-controlled environments, where products are kept within defined ranges such as chilled (above 0°C but below 8°C), or frozen (below -18°C). Some sites offer multi-zone capabilities, allowing different products to be stored under distinct conditions within the same complex. This flexibility supports a shared-use model for customers with varying storage needs, from fruit and vegetables to seafood, dairy, meat, and pharmaceutical goods.
Beyond the core storage function, cold storage facilities typically provide handling and processing support aligned with the needs of the Durban market. This may include rapid intake and dispatch, product sorting, repackaging, and consolidation for distribution. Enhanced handling often features automated or semi-automated systems to improve throughput while minimising temperature excursions. In many cases, facilities also offer inventory management services, enabling clients to track stock-keeping units (SKUs), batch numbers, and expiry dates as part of the cold chain integrity.
Quality assurance and regulatory compliance form a substantial part of the service offering. Facilities may operate under HACCP-oriented frameworks and adhere to industry guidelines relevant to food safety, pharmaceuticals, or other temperature-sensitive commodities. Documentation support—such as temperature logs, incident reports, and traceability records—helps customers demonstrate control over storage conditions during audits or inspections. Suppliers frequently provide certifications or attestations appropriate to their sector, while customers are advised to verify the facility’s compliance status and audit history when selecting a partner.
Practical considerations for customers exploring Durban’s cold storage options include access to reliable power, fuel, and contingency planning. The reliability of refrigeration systems is critical; therefore, facilities invest in redundant power supplies, standby generators, and robust maintenance programmes to minimise the risk of temperature deviations. Environmental controls, including humidity management and airflow design, contribute to uniform temperature distribution and product stability. Security measures, such as monitored access and CCTV, are commonly employed to protect high-value or sensitive goods.
Location within the province can influence service quality and logistics. Durban’s port access, road networks, and proximity to major distribution corridors can shorten lead times and support just-in-time deliveries. Facilities often offer coordinated transport arrangements or connections with third-party logistics providers to streamline inbound and outbound flows. However, customers should assess service levels, such as pallet handling, loading rates, and preferred scheduling windows, to ensure alignment with operational demand and seasonal peaks.
Environmental considerations are increasingly incorporated into how cold storage is managed. Energy efficiency measures, waste handling practices, and efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of cold chains are relevant for businesses seeking sustainable logistics solutions. Prospective clients may wish to discuss energy performance or environmental statements with providers as part of a holistic evaluation.
When selecting a Durban cold storage partner, practical due diligence should cover capacity, temperature stability, and the ability to scale with demand. Clients typically look for transparent pricing structures, clear service level expectations, and responsive communication to support smooth collaboration across the supply chain. The resulting relationship should offer dependable storage solutions that preserve product integrity while fitting within the commercial and regulatory context of KwaZulu-Natal.