Beira rates hike gives SA competitive edge

TRANSPORT GLOOM in Zimbabwe now extends to the Beira Corridor, until now a source of hope. CFM has put up its rail rates by a minimum of 92%, which is seen as very poor timing.
The rates for imports and exports are now the same, at US$210 for each TEU. Previously the import rate per TEU was US$116 while exports were US$109 per TEU.
"They claim to be wanting to attract cargo, but this hardly gives them a competitive edge over South Africa," says Dave Sly of Unifeeder. "Not only that, users were only told about it afterwards. We received notice on July 11 for a change that happened on July 2."
The shipping industry is certain that there will be a wholesale shift to South Africa.
"On top of the rule that Zimbabwe now has to pay in hard currency up front, this makes Beira pointless," was the opinion of one m.d