Cargo keeps moving despite slowdown

It could take three to four years to get back to ‘Go’, according to Dave Johnson, managing director of Edgin Logistic Solutions. Which is not to say he is that pessimistic about the current state of economic affairs. In fact far from it. “From our perspective the outlook is very good,” he says. “We have managed to streamline our operations so that even if there was no improvement in the economy we would still show some small growth year on year. “Considering that there are already signs of commodities bouncing back, it’s clear that an upward curve is beginning.” However, he adds a word of caution. “Having said that, we are of the opinion that it will be at least three to four years before we are handling the volumes we did before the worldwide slowdown in trade.” From its warehouse in the Cape Town foreshore, Edgin receives and packs project cargoes that can involve either specialised packaging and crating, or the expert securing of large items on flatracks. The company then ensures safe transportation of the cargo to the port and on board the vessel. For imports the reverse applies, as for example the large consignments currently being handled for the Greenpoint Stadium. Dealing with project cargo is a fast-growing part of Edgin’s business, particularly with the addition of Rob Brown to their staff early this year. A doyen in the projects industry, he brought many of his clients dealing with specialised cargoes with him. At Edgin some slacking off in the work-load is expected over the next 18 months, because most of the large projects are planned two to three years in advance. “There are now fewer enquiries, but workwise not much has changed,” explains Johnson. “We face three challenges now and each of those is ‘to remain positive’. “It was after all negative perceptions of the world’s credit worthiness that created this mess in the first place.”