Digital freight forwarder Saloodo!, a subsidiary of DHL Global Forwarding, says its digital logistics platform for shippers and transport providers in southern Africa has been well received and plans are in place to roll it out across the continent.
This first-of-its-kind digital road freight solution for the region was launched in November last year in South Africa and has since extended its reach to several neighbouring countries.
It offers a single, simple and reliable interface for shippers and transport providers to best optimise cost, routes, cargo and transit times and is an indication of the continent’s hunger for and commitment to digital growth, according to Tobias Maier, chief financial officer DHL Global Forwarding, and CEO of Saloodo! Middle East and Africa.
“It provides shippers and carriers with a one-stop platform for road freight connections for domestic shipments within South Africa and international movements to several neighbouring countries in sub Saharan Africa (SSA),” said Maier.
“With real-time visibility, Saloodo! will inject greater transparency and efficiency into the road network in the region, enabling shippers – from small enterprises and start-ups to large multinational groups – to find trusted and reliable freight carriers.”He said digital transformation was not only a top priority for the industry, but also for DHL as a group.
“One of our key investments is to roll out Saloodo! across the African continent to support the creation of a more seamless and cost-effective road freight network.”
According to Maier, the Deutsche Post DHL Group (DPDHL) has committed to invest €2 billion into digitalisation over the next five years as part of its 2025 group strategy.“It is all about simplifying processes and workf lows by accelerating and streamlining them. It also helps us to achieve total customer centricity, which encompasses real-time transparency, seamless integration at all touch points, end-to-end information, and readiness for new levels of operational efficiency and business enablement.”
Maier says the range of services and products from Saloodo! is aimed primarily at small and medium-sized enterprises which rely on competitive offers and support to find suitable transport companies for their needs. “For every shipment request, Saloodo! provides a direct overview of the wide range of certified shippers and provides price quotations for transportation. On the other hand it serves as a platform for transport companies of all sizes where they can present their services and competitive advantages."
