CHINA HAS emerged as the top contender for logistics operator CargoCare, overtaking its traditional markets in the US, Europe and Asia. “The China-Asia routes now represent about 40% of our business by air and probably 70% of our ocean freight business,” says MD Roland Raath. “In the past we moved cargo mostly through the US, Europe and Asia.” CargoCare’s imports comprise mainly consumables, furniture, electronics and more recently machinery, while finished goods, machinery and cosmetics make up the export mix. He says the company’s express and economy services cater for high value, urgent goods as well as lower-valued, price-sensitive cargoes. This applies to both import and export shipments by air or sea. In 2004 total trade – imports and exports – between China and Africa reached US$29.46 billion, an increase of 58.9% over the previous year. China’s exports to Africa amounted to US$13.82 billion, growing 35.7%, and its imports from Africa US$15.65 billion, an increase of 87.1% over 2003. It is estimated that more than half of this trade is with South Africa. CargoCare’s consolidation services include express air consolidations twice a week; normal air consolidation once a week; and ocean freight to and from all major ports worldwide. These include direct or transhipment of both full container loads (FCL) and part container loads (LCL) and grouped cargo for small shipments.
