Companies urged to get more involved in their logistics

Importers and exporters making use of Beira and other ports in southern Africa are urged to take control of their own destiny by getting more involved in understanding and managing their logistics chain, says Chris Harvie, commercial and new business manager of Transcom Sharaf. Founded in Lilongwe Malawi in 2003, the company was among the first new investors in warehousing and logistics in Beira. It opened offices in Beira, Tete and Johannesburg in 2004. With a fleet of 150 cross-border haul trucks in 2007, Transcom entered into a partnership agreement with the Sharaf Group from Dubai to form Transcom Sharaf. The new company invested in warehousing and container terminals in Beira comprising 20 000 sqm of modern warehousing, a 3 000-TEU container terminal with two 40- ton Kalmar reach stackers. It is an approved Collateral Management Centre for various commodities such as tobacco, minerals, cotton and fertiliser. The customs bonded facility was the first of its kind outside of the port in the city of Beira, and was built in anticipation of demand, according to Harvie. The facility offers a total logistics package, including clearing and forwarding, warehousing and shipping from its container park and warehouses in Beira, according to regional general manager Allison Pinheiro. She recently moved to Beira from Lilongwe and one of her focus areas is the increasing volume of agricultural and manufacturing exports from Mozambique and neighbouring states. “Often the last thing farmers or factory owners think of is getting their products to market,” she says. High regional logistics costs can price the products out of the market, says Harvie. Just as important is being able guarantee on-time delivery. Cargo owners can best manage these risks and costs by entering into long-term agreements with logistics providers such as Transcom Sharaf, rather than constantly looking for the lowest price, he says. Contracts enable the logistics service provider to invest in the right equipment, and to plan ahead in order to minimise costly empty legs. CAPTION Allison Pinheiro … focusing on agricultural and manufacturing exports.