Demand for express freight service grows

Good relationship with Customs streamlines border procedures
JOY ORLEK
GROWING DEMAND for express roadfreight services has been the trend into Africa over the past year, according to Kingfisher Freight Services’ Alwyn Nel. “We’ve always offered an express option in addition to our consolidation and full load service, but we now find a stronger call for smaller loads on a Just in Time basis. “We have good relationships with Customs and can therefore streamline border clearances particularly for urgent shipments.” One of the more established roadfreight operators into the region, Kingfisher was set up 14 years ago and provides daily services to Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland, with regular services to Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and the DRC. “Demands change as the region develops,” says Nel, “and we have the expertise to adapt our service frequency to the market. “Mining activity has stimulated cargo movements to Zambia, the DRC is picking up, and Angola is developing as road infrastructure improves. Because of port congestion, shippers are beginning to opt for road although it is a costly alternative.” The downside of business growth into the region is the rash of new operators that have moved in to grasp their share of a lucrative market. “The problem is that a lot of them compete on rates, which erodes margins for established operators. And because they generally don’t last the distance, the result is that the market becomes overtraded and rates are pushed down. “A number of shippers have burnt their fingers this way, and my advice to them is to choose a reputable operator – cheaper rates don’t necessarily relate to good service.”