Energy transport specialist eyes Africa market

Less than a year since its launch, Manline Energy has more than doubled its fleet and is now heading into Africa. Managing director Justin Blythe told FTW that this had been a phenomenal feat taking into consideration that the company was launched in the midst of a global economic crisis in November last year. “Parent company Manline had entered the fuel market with a fleet of tankers that was being underutilised. These vehicles established the foundation of Manline Energy. “Manline Energy has now been fully operational for six months, working within South Africa, and we are very happy with what we have achieved so far,” said Blythe. “We have since purchased a fleet of flat deck dangerous goods-enabled vehicles for further market penetration.” Blythe said that when the company was launched the economic crisis had not really hit the South African road freight market but they were at a point of no return anyway. “We are making the most of a tough recession.” By September the fleet of flat deck dangerous goodsenabled vehicles will grow further, in response to current customer demand. These units will be operational throughout the SADC region, focusing on Zambia and Zimbabwe. “The idea behind Manline Energy is to focus, much like the name says, on the transport of energy – fuel, gas, chemicals. We have assembled a very capable team to take this company forward – from the marketing department to our highly trained drivers.” Blythe said the plan was to establish Manline Energy as a formidable dangerous goods company within the next five years. “There are big players out there and this is a very competitive industry, but we are very confident in our capabilities and our strategy”