In the current tough
trading environment the
new battleground for
carriers is no longer rates
or transit times but customer
service, says Craig McCarthy,
Safmarine Western Cape
dry sales and cluster reefer
manager.
“VSAs (vessel sharing
agreements) often mean
competitors are on the same
service which is why it is
absolutely vital that sales
and customer service work
closely together to make a
difference.”
Having recently returned
to the Western Cape
after a stint in
the Eastern Cape
for Safmarine,
McCarthy says
these are tough
times. “It is
difficult
trading
at present
with
exports still
at 2009 levels
and challenges
around
infrastructure and
electricity. The petrol price
and tax increases don’t help
matters in a low growth
economy.”
But, he says, despite the
challenges there are many
opportunities out there
for companies to do good
business and partner with
reliable suppliers.
And all eyes are currently
on Africa. “There is
a definite increase in
enquiries to Africa. More
and more dry and reefer
customers are selling
into the continent where
Safmarine has dedicated
offices and staff to assist.
The result of this is new
products like our Apapa
reefer facility that services
this market in particular.”
According to McCarthy,
growing the line’s dry and
reefer market in the Western
Cape is a top priority. “Our
aim is to add value from
both a customer service and
a sales perspective and build
partnerships with exporters
and importers in southern
Africa.”
To achieve this the
company has invested
heavily in the development
of several e-commerce
products that are easy to
use and assist customers
in overcoming many of the
challenges around booking
and documentation.
“For our reefer customers,
equipment release is now
available from Johannesburg
to assist those packing in the
north instead of potentially
trucking cargo to Durban
or Cape Town,” he says. “We
also have a new Nigeria
product – an off dock facility
available for reefer cargo plus
a direct sailing ex Cape Town.”
During the course of the
year new reefer equipment
is to be delivered as well, he
added.
“We also have a Far East
reefer drive for 2015, offering
good products from Cape
Town, Port Elizabeth and
Durban.
A good direct Far East
product into Cape Town has
been established which has
benefited the retail industry.
The reliability of the service
has played a positive role
when scheduling retail
promotions,” he says.
INSERT & CAPTION
In Nigeria we have
an off dock facility
available for reefer
cargo plus a direct
sailing ex Cape Town.
– Craig McCarthy
