East London takes pole position

Leonard Neill PORSCHE SOUTH Africa has switched from Durban to East London for the import of its fully built-up vehicles - both luxury cars and 4 x 4s. The first consignment arrived in the city last Tuesday. Service levels and a two day saving on delivery time to its Gauteng headquarters are the reasons for the switch. “There were only three containers aboard the ‘Master 1’ when it docked here, but it is the start of a new service which we welcome,” said National Ports Authority East London spokesman Terry Taylor. The cars will be transported by road to Gauteng until the rail line between the centres has been upgraded. This is on the planning boards at present. Public Enterprises Minister Jeff Radebe has given his assurance that the matter is receiving urgent attention. Celebrating the arrival of the first Porsche in East London last week from left Thami Ntshingila, port manager National Ports Authority; Piet Klinkradt, acting port operations manager SAPO; Roy De Klerk from Kuehne & Nagel, clearing and forwarding agents for Porsche, and executive mayor Buffalo City, Sindisile Maclean.