Destrans sets up Mozambican presence

Midvaal-based transport broker
and consultant Destrans is in the
process of registering a company
in Mozambique in order to assist
clients wanting to access the fastgrowing
northern areas of the
country.
Destrans provides longdistance
transport services from
South Africa into Mozambique,
and is seeing demand growing.
“We are looking at the northern
Mozambique region in particular
due to business opportunities
there for both our clients and
ourselves,” says Sandra de Kock,
managing director of Destrans.
Mining equipment for Zambia
and the Democratic Republic
of Congo, steel and building
materials are all in demand.
Having a presence in
Mozambique will enable the
company to use the ports of Beira
and Nacala, as well as those in
South Africa.
Having a local presence will
also help speed up trans-border
crossings by providing advance
warning of Customs changes.
Documentation at the border
continues to be the biggest cause
of delays.
“An example is the
introduction of a new procedure
called the ‘Contra Marca’
number which was not
communicated to the parties until
it was actually implemented. This
caused huge delays.
“Most customers are still not
aware of this change which
delays the vehicles. Customers
need to have the ‘Contra Marca’
before we even despatch the
truck to load,” she says.