Border delays provide challenge
Kevin Mayhew
THE BIGGEST logistics challenge in Africa is anticipating and finding ways to overcome border delays and providing alternatives to avoid congestion currently experienced at African ports.
One of the prime requirements for success throughout the continent is to have wide-ranging representation, according to African development manager for Kuehne & Nagel, Marliza Mulder.
With 17 corridors around the East and southern African coastline, Africa has opened up for trade in the wake of a renewed drive for sustainable development. As rapidly as the continent opens up to new possibilities, so it presents challenges for speedier and safe delivery of cargo to the emerging markets.
Kuehne & Nagel has identified key areas to minimise delays which include re-routing, advanced handling of paperwork, and 24 hour tracking of cargo. In Angola, based on demand from the oil and energy sector, a dedicated Boeing 727 (cargo version) operates twice weekly from Luanda to Soyo and Cabinda.
The company has a strong presence in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
A division of the international logistics giant based in Switzerland, KN has introduced strong IT support systems to position itself for necessary changes as the challenges need to be addressed. This is coupled with a presence at all border posts and in the African destinations to which it operates.
It is the appointed logistics partner for the United Nations in Africa.
