With several contracts
already in the bag,
Central Freight
commercial director
Bryan Sikalubya is upbeat about
the year ahead.
The Zambia-based company
bulked up its project cargo
capability last year with the
establishment of a specialist
division to focus on what
Sikalubya
believes is a
growth market.
“We see a lot
of mines being
rejuvenated
and we are
ready to handle
the associated
cargo,” Sikalubya
told FTW.
“We’ve also
seen glimmers
of growth in the copper industry
– and with several infrastructure
projects likely to come to fruition,
we now have the capability to take
on more project business.”
Sikyaluba also has ambitious
plans for the company’s trucking
division.
“With low growth in import
volumes, we’re now focusing on
trucking which is growing our
export capability.
“We have our
own fleet of
48 trucks and
we’re looking at
adding a further
90-100 – or even
more in the year
ahead if demand
warrants it.”
A large
percentage of
the company’s
trucking business is miningrelated.
“When volumes are down
a lot of our work comes through
third party operators rather than
directly through the customer –
and that affects our rates.
“This year we have already
signed up some direct projects
which is good news in terms of
growth and profitability.”
Central Freight has an
office in Dubai which handles
international business, and
while its service covers the globe
its main markets are Zambia,
Tanzania, Angola, Mozambique,
South Africa, Kenya, Congo
DRC, Dubai, China, Bangkok,
Hong Kong and India.
“The bulk of our import
business is in the automotive
industry – vehicles as well as
spare parts.
“We also offer speedy port
clearance from Dar-es-Salaam,
Beira, Walvis Bay and Durban
as well as port clearance
and transportation to final
destination from these ports.”
Sikalubya sees positive signs
of a revival in mining and
infrastructure upgrades and is
confident of an uptick in import
volumes for
2016.
INSERT & CAPTION
We have our own fleet
of 48 trucks and we’re
looking at adding a
further 90-100.
– Bryan Sikalubya
Additional trucks grow export capability
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