Kenya Railways will start transporting perishable goods to the Port of Mombasa after acquiring Reefer wagons.
In a statement on Wednesday, March 19, the corporation announced the introduction of specialized wagons designed to handle goods that require temperature control.
"The Corporation has introduced Reefer wagons which will facilitate transportation of perishable cargo. Fresh produce/perishables can now be collected from Fresh Produce Consolidation Centres, transported via rail to the Port of Mombasa for onward transportation via sea to Europe and other destinations,” the statement read.
Kenya Railways said the introduction of the wagons is part of a broader plan to establish a Cool Logistics Corridor, aimed at streamlining the transportation of fresh farm produce across East Africa.
“This is as a result of Kenya's commitment to creating a Cool Logistics Corridor that will facilitate transportation of fresh farm produce/perishables to and from the East African region, a move that will boost the horticulture sector,” the statement added.
Read More
Kenya Railways explained that the newly acquired wagons comes equipped with advanced technology to maintain optimal conditions for perishable goods.
“This guarantees the perishable cargo will remain fresh throughout the journey as the rolling stock includes real-time temperature monitoring systems,” the statement further read.
Early models of reefer wagons relied on ice for cooling, with compartments designed to hold large ice blocks that maintained a lower temperature.
As technology advanced, mechanical reefers were introduced, featuring diesel-powered or electric refrigeration units that actively regulated temperature.
Some reefer wagons use cryogenic cooling methods, such as liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide, which are ideal for ultra-cold transport.
On the other hand, hybrid reefers combine mechanical refrigeration with enhanced insulation or alternative cooling techniques to improve efficiency.
-1728108852.jpg)
