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.