AS THE only fully black empowered airfreight agent in the IATA list, Sebenza Forwarding & Shipping Consultancy had a creditable performance in 2003. With a total of R6.7-million in export airfreight turnover, the company failed to get into the Top 30 last year, and took 39th spot. But, according to Sebenza’s coastal director, Aubrey Veeran, it is heading in an upward direction, and he expects to make a challenge not too far down the road. Summarising the highlights of last year, Veeran pointed to “a definite growth” in the movement of air cargo to Australia – especially electronic equipment. “Apart from this market,” he told FTW, “the other destination of note last year was to Greece – a lot of which was probably tied to this year’s Olympic Games in Athens. “But there was also a fair amount heading for the US and Dubai, and Egypt - although volumes dropped off towards year-end - also showed a big development in 2003.” Although all the company’s branches handle airfreight exports, the bulk of Sebenza’s business comes from Durban shippers, according to Veeran. “But, at the same time, we are capable of providing full logistics in any mode, by air, sea, road and rail.” And Veeran is already looking at growth in airfreight exports again in 2004. “We have improved this year over last,” he told FTW, “with about a 15% expansion in volumes. “Hopefully, with another three months still left in the year, our eventual growth for 2004 should be about 20%.”
