Afrilog cuts transit times for West Africa-bound cargo

In a challenging market area for SA companies, Afrilog Groupage Services (AGS) has successfully reversed a traditional norm, according to Simon Busang, business development manager. “Historically,” he told FTW, “West African countries, such as Senegal, Mali, Nigeria and Cote d‘Ivoire, have had strong trade links with European countries. Different factors like close proximity to Europe, and Anglo-Franco political relationships which go back to the colonial days, contributed to that status quo.” But AGS felt the need to tap into the West African market – one that SA companies were reluctant to enter. To succeed at that, the company had to devise new strategies which countered the historical connections. “By embracing more direct trade routes,” Busang added, “like transhipping Asian cargo destined for West Africa via SA, we were able to reduce shipping transit periods by up to 50%. For example the typical transit period between Hong Kong and Dakar via Europe would take 50-70 days; the AGS routing via SA equated to 30-35 days.” You have also got to learn to play the right tune, according to Busang. “We are unusual in that we have offices in SA, West Africa and Europe – and thus we understand and relate to Africa’s rhythms. “In having these strategically placed offices, as well as international partnerships, we offer the freight industry cross-trade movements from anywhere in the world into West Africa – with direct service from SA and ‘flexible freight collection’ arrangements.” AGS has also adopted a robust approach to establishing relationships with various freight companies. In Busang’s mind this has aided the company in addressing the challenges of offering what he felt could be described as a unique service. “That,” he said, “was in the handling of freight for the freight industry, cargo consolidations and optimisation of transit-time lines and costs. Effectively managing the process of transporting cargo in and around the West Africa region with minimal difficulty and guaranteed deliveries.” Achieving this has served two primary purposes. “We are not only meeting our clients’ needs,” Busang added, “but creating new and exciting paths forward for the SA freight industry into West Africa.”