Scottish exporters of perishable goods are set to benefit from a £750,000 investment into reefer point infrastructure at the Port of Greenock, which marks a significant upgrade to the country's refrigerated cargo capabilities.
The substantial increase in reefer points, from 32 to 220, will significantly increase ease of access to global markets for food and drink manufacturers.
Commodities would include seed potatoes, meats, fish, fruit and vegetables and dairy products directly benefiting from the upgrades.
Jim McSporran, Port Director, Peel Ports Clydeport said: "This significant investment into the Port of Greenock’s reefer points infrastructure underscores our commitment to providing world-class facilities to support the needs of our customers in Scotland.
“We are excited about the opportunities this investment brings for businesses involved in exporting perishable goods, especially at a time when demand for temperature-sensitive goods is growing. We look forward to playing an even bigger role in Scotland’s export success."
The expansion also brings huge benefits to pharmaceuticals manufacturers, the agriculture industry and other enterprises dealing with temperature-sensitive goods.
The investment has facilitated various upgrades, including the addition of a new substation to the port's network, the construction of new purpose-built reefer gantries, and the upgrade of existing reefer facilities.
The expanded reefer points infrastructure offers a range of benefits to manufacturers, cargo owners, freight forwarders, and shipping lines alike, including opening up alternative routes to market and additional capacity to export larger volumes of refrigerated cargo.
The expansion also eliminates the need for diesel generators, helping exporters to reduce the carbon emissions produced by their operations.
Craig Scrimgeour, Scotland Director at Drac Logistics, a firm which supports the import and export of perishable foods across the world, said: “We’re really pleased to hear about this reefer investment at the Port of Greenock ahead of the imminent arrival of its two new ship-to-shore cranes later this year.
“This will significantly increase our ability to store and transfer our cargo, as well as our access to global markets.
“It’s really positive news for import and export companies across the country, and we believe it will support and attract new services into Scotland’s only deep-water container port.”