World demand for perishable cargo including fresh fruit and vegetables has reportedly escaped the worst effects of the current global recession, in stark contrast with other less essential consumer goods.
However, the economic crisis is still likely to impact the planning and execution of international cool supply chains, according to the organisers of the Cool Logistics Conference, which takes place on 28-30 September 2009 at the InterContinental Hotel in Hamburg, Germany.
The extent and implications of the economic downturn's impact on perishable cargo shipments will be among the key discussion topics at the event, which is now in its second year.
Of primary concern will be carrier sustainability. With container ships still being laid up by the dozen, aircraft being mothballed and widespread over-capacity in the trucking business, the danger is that hasty downsizing of transport capacity could lead to 'shrinking supply chain syndrome', according to Alex von Stempel, Cool Logistics event director.
'Retailers say that consumers will not eat any less, they are merely opting for cheaper product lines,' says Mr Von Stempel. 'People may now consume more frozen than fresh produce, which is good news for one arm of the cold chain.'
Meanwhile, there are signs that some perishable products that had deserted airfreight for seafreight in the good years are now taking back to the air. 'However,' says Mr Von Stempel, 'while the perishable trades are holding up well, a critical question is how events in the transport sector may affect cool supply chain resilience.'
Perishable trends and retailer expectations from the logistics chain will be the focus for the opening session of Cool Logistics on 29 September 2009. Speakers will include Hermann Sievers, former marketing and sales director of German giant Edeka, the country’s largest food retailer.
With over 20 years’ experience in FMCG and retail marketing, Mr Sievers now heads up Sievers Marken & Konzeptberatung, a specialist retail branding and private label consulting company.
Mr Sievers will be joined by Brian Young, director general of the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF), who will review consumer trends in fresh versus frozen produce.
From the carrier and logistics sectors, speakers include Peder Winther, CEO of Samskip Logistics, Claus Ellemann-Jensen, reefer vice-president at liner shipping company CMA CGM and Thorsten Lafleur, senior product manager at Lufthansa Cargo.
More key speakers are currently being lined up for the conference, which is being developed in consultation with an expert industry steering committee, including Alfred Cheung, managing director of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services (Japan), Frank Ganse, global director reefer and perishables at Kuehne & Nagel and Axel Guenther, perishable imports consultant for Africa at Lufthansa Cargo.
The event has also attracted the support of Port of Hamburg, the Global Institute of Logistics and the Container Owners Association. Leading truck and container refrigeration technology provider Thermo King is confirmed as platinum event sponsor.
'We are delighted to have received such strong early support from leading industry players,' says Rachael White, joint event director. 'Cool Logistics 09 will combine cutting edge topicality with a senior speaker line-up from across the cold supply chain. Our goal is to deliver a high quality event for everyone who has an interest in the performance of global temperature control transport and logistics.'
Mr Von Stempel adds: 'The event is timed to coincide with the beginning of the third quarter of 2009 when the days are still long, yet important decisions for the next shipping season will have to be made.'
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