E-commerce platform gives shippers global access 24/7

Mozambique has

become more

integrated into

global trade through

the introduction of an electronic

platform that provides online

chat and online quoting services,

according to Carolyn Kathewera,

Safmarine’s Mozambique sales and

country representative.

The e-commerce platform,

which was launched by Safmarine

earlier this year, is being used by

importers and exporters to make

enquiries about shipments and

other Safmarine services 24 hours a

day, she says.

“We consider ourselves market

leaders on this front.

“What I like most about the

platform is that it gives our

customers access to customer

service personnel at any time of

the day or night. We recognise that

our clients are operating in a global

market, and may need information

on their shipment from China, for

example.

“Now they

can talk

directly to our

representatives

in China during

their working

hours.

“Our average

turnaround

time for

responses

to the

chat line

is three to five seconds,” she says.

Clients can also request

quotations for shipments online,

and will receive responses within

two to four hours, she says.

Safmarine serves Maputo, Beira

and Nacala.

The M-Express is a weekly

service. West-bound it calls on

Port Reunion and Tomasina before

Maputo Beira

and Nacala.

From Maputo,

it calls Port Louis

and terminates

in Port Klang

and Tanjung

Pelepas.

Cargo is

transhipped in

Port Louis

to the

Middle

East, Asia and the Far East.

Safmarine runs an additional

feeder service that connects Beira

to Durban and the SAECS service

to Europe.