Abnormals to Africa on the increase

Abnormal transport has been struck
by the ongoing recession like
all other wings of the logistics
industry, where the work of any transport
firm is tied to the productivity of its
clients. A recent uptick in abnormal
loads transported northward into Africa
may signal improved conditions.
“It looks like business is picking up
a bit. We’re seeing a slight increase
in loads up into Africa – earthmoving
machinery, heavy construction vehicles,
machines and generators,” said Lampie
Grobler of Fritz Kroon Transport in
Pretoria, which has been handling
overborder abnormal loads for nearly
a decade.
“This year’s largest abnormal load
was an EH 3500 dump truck, completely
assembled at 147 tonnes,” said Grobler
of an order shipped to Zambia’s copper
belt. Using South African drivers,
Kroon also moves into DRC, Zimbabwe,
Mozambique, Namibia, Malawi and
Tanzania heavy equipment that is
imported into South Africa or locally
manufactured.
With an abnormal load, the challenge
is to find cargo for the return trip.
“Most trucks come back empty, but
we’ve built quite a relationship with our
customers, so if they need something
shipped down, we do it. We’ve moved
mobile cranes, excavators, transformers
from north to south,” said Botha, who
advised that a firm needs a “hands
on” approach to securing all necessary
permits to ensure smooth passage.