CMA CGM has announced the launch of a dedicated intermodal service offering an eco-friendly transport solution for Zimbabwe’s busy capital province.
The new service in Harare Metropolitan Province in the country’s north-eastern province will complement the firm’s two current transport services via Beira and Durban.
The dedicated block-train shuttle, with a weekly capacity of 108 TEU R/T Harare > Maputo > Harare, will be offered from May 1. It will provide importers and exporters with the benefit of a short and reliable intermodal transit time of five days for Harare Ramp and six days to consignee's door in Harare.
“The gain combined on maritime-rail transit time is 15 days from Asia in connection with the Mozex service. Harare is reached from Shanghai in 31 days, Yantian 30 days, Qingdao 35 days, Busan 36 days. Export cargo from Harare Ramp bound for Shanghai is 48 days and Yantian 42 days,” CMA CGM said.
According to a trade data report released by the Cross Border Road Transport Agency, South Africa is an important trading partner for Zimbabwe.
South Africa’s total exports via Beitbridge border post to Zimbabwe amounted to around R55.6 billion in 2019 and in 2020, while exports valued in the region of R53.6 billion were recorded, resulting in a decrease of just 4% during the period of hard lockdown.
“South Africa’s total volumes exported to Zimbabwe through Beitbridge border post documented nearly 16.6 billion pieces of goods in 2019 and in 2020, while exports documented about 13.6 billion pieces of goods, resulting in a decline of 18%,” the agency report highlighted.
Zimbabwe imports 40% of its total imports, and exports 75% of its total exports to South Africa.
