Growing demand in the project cargo and breakbulk market has seen Leschaco embark on a strategy to extend its foothold in the sector.According to Simon Chalker, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape regional manager, the company’s increased market presence and focused growth strategy have already resulted in an upswing in project cargo volumes.Among the various segments in the market, the steel industry is showing growth. The company has seen a surge in import volumes and steel movement nationwide. With its commitment to exceptional service levels and meeting bespoke needs, existing contracts are being extended and new agreements signed, ref lecting the high level of customer satisfaction, says Chalker.Furthermore, there has been a notable increase in over-border volumes and abnormal load requests. This surge in regional projects has contributed to the heightened demand, which the company is effectively capitalising on due to its reputation, market presence, and proactive approach to customer inquiries."Mining, in particular, is boosting demand for project cargo, breakbulk and abnormal loa d s. We recently successfully handled the movement of several large abnormal loads destined for the mining sector in Zambia. The region, in general, is experiencing significant growth, with a corresponding rise in international demand for mining equipment and commodities," said Chalker, who believes Leschaco's ability to cater to its customers' unique logistical requirements is contributing to its growing volumes.An increase in export projects also bodes well for the project cargo sector at large. "As local engineering companies compete with the global market, the weakened rand has provided a favourable environment for expansion and increased regional opportunities."According to Chalker, there’s particular focus on establishing solid relationships with key stakeholders at ports and regional border posts. By fostering these partnerships, he said, they ensured the seamless movement of cargo and maintained high service levels.In the project cargo sector, particularly for out-of-gauge and abnormal loads, Chalker said Leschaco emphasised the importance of clearing cargo in advance at borders to reduce standing time and avoid additional charges. This approach extends to port procedures, where timely clearance is crucial to prevent storage costs and other expenses. "Given the size and complexity of such cargo, efficient processes are imperative to mitigate potential challenges, including truck standing time," he said. "The handling of breakbulk cargo requires a hands-on approach. There is very little room for error. We go out of our way to ensure we have the necessary equipment and expertise to deliver bespoke solutions to our customers and continuously develop our service offering."The company recently acquired its road bond, providing an added advantage as a service provider. This acquisition allows for the efficient staging of transit cargo and facilitates smoother operations.
