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.