Green Africa Container Depot is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Green Africa Group.
With a proud legacy and an impressive track record, Green Africa Container Depot is a prominent and respected name in the container industry. Operating three container depots and two warehouses with a combined square meterage of 4 400sqm, the company's footprint covers Durban and Johannesburg. Annually, over 45 000 empty containers, more than 4 500 full containers and an estimated 20 000 freight tons of cargo pass through Green Africa Container Depot.
The vision of Captain JJ Chen, Green Africa Container Depot was founded in January 1996 as a direct result ofEvergreen Agency (SA) activity and the Evergreen Marine Corporation’s requirement for empty container storage, handling and repair services in South Africa. Like so many Green Africa Group companies, the function was previously outsourced, but was brought in-house to streamline efficiencies, improve synergies, save costs and broaden the commercial base.
The first depot became operational in Wychwood, Johannesburg in May 1996, and two years later, the Durban depot opened its doors.
Leadership drivers
Green Africa Container Depot is known for its reliable, flexible and innovative services portfolio, which is uniquely tailored to meet the needs of individual clients. The resources offered by the broader Group further extend this capability.
The management team, led by Captain JJ Chen’s eldest son, Timmy, has many years experience in the maritime industry and their skills, expertise and professionalism are evident in what the company has managed to achieve since its inception.
To drive operational efficiencies, improve productivity and ensure faster turnaround times, the company has made substantial investments into ‘next generation’ machinery and equipment, particularly: •Container stackers •Reach stackers •Forklifts •Utility vehicles
The proximity of the container depots in Durban is advantageous from an operations point of view and enables cooperation in terms of problem solving.
Maintaining the integrity of un-cleared containers and protecting expensive cargo is a priority and state-of-the-art security systems, monitoring equipment, access control mechanisms and comprehensive insurance policies are in place.
Accreditations include: •A Customs & Excise license to handle and store un-cleared containers. •The full container depot in Durban is registered as a Food Business Operator with the Perishable Products Export Control Board. •Accredited by the South African Port Operations as a storage facility for overstay containers. (This has given Green Africa Container Depot the opportunity to secure new trading partners and form international strategic alliances.) •In the process of obtaining ISO9001 accreditation from the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).
In January 2000, Green Africa Container Depot was granted a customs and excise license to handle and store un-cleared containers. This event was a major turning point in the company’s history and necessitated a series of significant changes, which saw the Durban depot upgraded to a full container storage facility. A new empty container depot was secured in the same area.
In 2001, Green Africa Container Depot extended its services to other clients and shipping lines. Such was the success of the decision that in 2006 the company acquired its largest depot to date in City Deep, Johannesburg. Developed by Green Africa Properties, the enhanced capacity was created to meet the ever-increasing needs of the market and meant that the Wychwood depot could be consolidated into a single site. The spacious new facility opened in August 2007.
Services
The empty container depot provides the services of: •Handling •Storage •Washing •Minor repairs •Preparing containers to container operator standards
The full container depots offer: •Handling and storage of full containers •A specialised facility for the preparation, maintenance and technical repairs of refrigerated containers •A reefer technician on call 24 hours a day
Container management services cover: •Full and empty container storage •Container repairs and washing/cleaning •Refrigerated container storage, washing and repairs
The cargo management department handles: •Unpacking/packing of import and export cargoes •Customs unpack and repack •Customs stops and tailboard examinations •Cargo storage and inventory control •Bonded warehousing •Plant inspections and state veterinarian inspections •Heavy and out-of-gauge cargo handling •Dry bulk container loading •Hazardous cargo handling and storage •Strapping, palletising, shrink wrapping and repairs
