East African importers and
exporters of bulk liquids
are switching from drums
to ISO tanks in order to
meet growing demand as
the economies in the region
grow, says Kreason Pillay,
managing director of M&S
Logistics South Africa.
“Through our agency
network in East Africa,
supported by our South
African and global sales
teams, we have succeeded in
securing a number of new
contracts in Mozambique,
Tanzania and Kenya.
“We are focusing on those
East African countries due
to the current growth driven
by oil and gas exploration.
“There is a growing
demand for liquid products
in bulk rather than the
conventional drums,” he
says.
Pillay is confident that
the demand will continue
to increase: “This is a fastgrowing
market which we
have been in for many years.
“We are well known to
many of the importers
and exporters in the East
African countries and our
continuous efforts are
bearing fruit. We expect
to see our trade lanes from
the Far East, Middle East,
Europe, USA and South
Africa increase into East
Africa,” he says.
But prospects extend
beyond the coastal cities and
countries. “East Africa opens
the logistical link for delivery
into many land-locked
countries.
“The infrastructure seems
to be improving. While the
costs have increased we
have also seen better service
delivery.”
“Although the market in
Africa is starting to take
notice of the importance
and realistic value of using
ISO tanks, and starting to
order products in bulk, we
still have a long way to go to
reach the market potential.
“This is a work in
progress. With added
marketing efforts from M&S
we are seeing the business
grow,” he adds.
INSERT
East Africa opens
the logistical link
for delivery into
many land-locked
countries.
– Kreason Pillay
