CFR Freight has doubled
capacity on the Los Angeles-
Johannesburg trade lane
following the addition of a
second weekly frequency on
the route effective last Friday
(October 19).
“We have seen steady
growth so far this year,”
Manny Ruiz, Midwest
regional airfreight
development manager of
Shipco Airfreight Inc, CFR’s
partner in the Air Cargo
Group, told FTW following a
recent visit to South Africa.
“And we know there is
a lot potential for future
growth. Our BSA (block
space agreement) based
service ex Los Angeles has
been very successful, and we
are looking to duplicate that
model out of the Midwest
and the East Coast,” he said.
In contrast to many other
markets worldwide, the
company has over the past
few months experienced
space issues to South Africa,
and is expecting an early
peak season this year, he
added.
“To accommodate
growing demand, we have
also added capacity out of
the west coast. Aside from
the second BSA out of
Los Angeles, which will
give us more capacity and
also more frequency, we
have launched a midweek
frequency out of Atlanta and
secured extra capacity out
of Chicago and New York as
well.”
While this was Ruiz’s
first visit to South Africa,
representatives from Shipco
visit regularly to touch base
with local clients as well as
CFR colleagues.
“It’s an important element
in improving our volumes
on this very important trade
lane,” said Ruiz. “Typically
we will get leads from a
client in the States who
advises that the agent in SA
makes most of the decisions.
Through our strong
relationship with CFR we
work on both ends to secure
additional business.
“Being 100% neutral
has been a big selling point
for both CFR and Shipco,
and has allowed us to gain
business from forwarders
who know they can trust our
neutrality.”
CAPTION
Manny Ruiz ... 'steady growth'
