Ecu opens Kenya and Uganda service

ECU LINE SA has opened a new groupage service to Kenya and Uganda, operating from South Africa through Ecu Line Kenya offices in Mombasa and Nairobi. In Mombasa all consol boxes are stripped at a private depot and no longer in the port. This offers the customers more security and less damage and pilferage, says Gauteng sales co-ordinator Gail Hands. Stripping takes about four days from the date of vessel berthing in Mombasa. All stripping is supervised by SGS who issue a stripping tally which is free of charge, says Hands. The tally sheet is an advantage in the case of a claim being lodged as this sheet describes the condition of the cargo upon arrival in Mombasa. "Should the cargo be manifested for Nairobi it must be customs cleared in Mombasa, where Ecu Line is able to offer this service at no extra cost, excluding duties and taxes. Once the cargo is cleared it is then transported by road to the companyÕs Nairobi office." Oncarriage from Mombasa to Kampala (Uganda) is included in the ocean freight, which includes the delivery order, stripping, customs formalities for transit and customs bond. There are no hidden expenses and transit time from Mombasa to Kampala is 15 days. Cargo is sent by road in sealed and escorted containerised trucks. The route between Mombasa and Kampala takes five days but allowance has to be made for seasonal rains. Freight collect can be arranged prior to the shipment taking place and subject to certain conditions.