‘The challenge is finding enough vehicles Central location offers strategic opportunities to match demand’

THE ZAMBIAN economy is booming,
says roadfreight specialist Transit’s
managing director Robbie Forbes, and
this creates major opportunities for
Zambian-based procurement agencies
and internal distribution networks
with warehousing facilities.
The major challenges, however,
are to obtain and supply sufficient
vehicles for the excessively high
demand being experienced for the
conveyance of mining equipment,
construction materials and
containerised foodstuffs at freight
rates that compensate sufficiently to
ensure the haulier’s business longevity.
Transit specialises in the
roadfreight of all perishable and
dry foodstuffs, both within and
from South Africa to Zimbabwe,
Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi.
The company deals mainly with
exports from South Africa of both
locally-manufactured and imported
goods and is geared to deal with all
commodities available for export
from, and imports to South Africa.
According to Forbes, “the mode of
freight chosen by a freight forwarder
should at all times be that which is
best suited to the type of commodity
and delivery expectations of the
consignee, similarly commensurate
with the fee the payee is prepared
to pay”.
But this is based on the
presumption that all modes listed
(air, road and rail) are capable of
performing in terms of normal first
world expectations. This includes
the availability of the expected
infrastructure and equipment
and having suitable staff with the
necessary qualifications to expedite
the required service. “But,” he says,
“sadly this is not the case where
rail is concerned, thereby creating
unnecessary false roadfreight
economies should rail at any time in
the future live up to expectation.”
Transit uplifts from any port
as required by the client. Present
volumes are focused on exports from
Gauteng and Cape Town northwards,
and to both Gauteng and Durban for
commodities uplifted from Zambia,
Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique.
Forbes is very optimistic about the
future. “We have to be, it takes up
to five years to pay for a truck and
trailer,” he says with his tongue firmly
in his cheek.