There’s Mozambican
time, and then there’s
“J&J” time, according
to Despina Nicolau,
general manager at J&J
Transport.
“Our philosophy
is that there is no
reason why we
should not apply
international
standards just
because we are in
Africa. We have
the systems in
place to ensure
that the job is
done when we say it will be
done, today, and not tomorrow,”
she says.
These system investments
have been matched with the
physical upgrading of J&J
facilities in Beira and Lusaka
to optimise the movement
of vehicles and cargo in the
depots. Vehicles are “geofenced”
along the route, with
any unauthorised
stops or diversions
being f lagged by
the management
system.
The J&J f leet
is able to run on
schedule with
the help of all
players, as well
as the investment
in upgrading
the infrastructure of the Beira
corridor, improvements in the
port and the streamlining of
the Mozambique customs
system.
The upgrading of the Beira
corridor means that there will
continue to be improvements
in transit times, the safety of
loads and personnel. “Safety is
paramount, and the J&J goal is
‘no incidents today.”
J&J is able to track and trace
all loads due to investment
in both physical facilities and
information technology systems
for a number of years, as well
as ongoing training of all
employees.
Having full visibility of the
entire distribution chain and
the ability to provide value
added services enables J&J to
provide a single invoice for the
full trip. “Our quote includes all
potential costs to the client.
There are no surprises,” she
says.
J&J is helping to make the
Beira Corridor competitive
by working hard to ensure
cargo f lows are optimised,
which in turn makes it
possible to reduce the freight
rate.
“We continue to work with
all players including agents
at the border to ensure
that the trucks transit
efficiently,” she says.
All clients are able to track
the real time movement of
their cargo in order to plan
for its arrival.
INSERT
Safety is paramount,
and the J&J goal is ‘no
incidents today.’
– Despina Nicolau
