Avoiding blunders demands hands-on approach

KEVIN MAYHEW A HANDS-ON approach to project cargo – as opposed to acting as a brokerage - is the secret to long-term success in the sector, according to managing director of Shipping & General, Regan Moodley. Even though the company might have to contract in heavy machinery or transport to meet its clients’ needs, Moodley says his staff is always on hand to use their expertise at every stage of the transit. Intense training sessions and thorough case studies of past industry blunders are necessary to keep abreast of the do’s and don’ts in this highly specialised field. “Checking and re-checking are fundamental to ensuring that catastrophes are avoided. This is particularly important when dealing with commodities that are over-width, overweight and/or over-height, in which case very meticulous planning is required in conjunction with local town officials to ensure that bridges and overhead lines can be cleared,” he said. Good reputation One badly executed contract on an abnormal load can destroy a good reputation, says Moodley. “Abnormal loads always attract attention when they go wrong and it is vital to be right with the cargo at all times to make certain it goes according to plan,” he explained. “Every abnormal load, relative to its specification, requires a degree of research. If you fail to fulfil this pre-requisite, the blunder fees have been known to run into hundreds of thousands and very often cost the operator his business,” he said. Shipping & General has operated for 21 years in the freight sector.