Ensuring cargo arrives safely and intact

Despite market instability, Professional International has committed to continue investing in its cross-border operations. Director Gerhard van Zyl is upbeat about developments in the region – in particular the new Kazungula bridge between Botswana and Zambia which is nearing completion. “We are establishing offices on both the Botswanan and the Zambian side of the new bridge as well as re-opening our offices at the dry port in Selebi Phikwe in Botswana.” This would see a number
of Botswanan and Zambian nationals joining the staff, said Van Zyl. Professional International specialises in a range of risk and asset management services focusing on warehousing, distribution, aviation and cargo security. According to Van Zyl, the company’s container security solution ensures that cargo arrives at its destination safely and intact. “We provide loading, tracking and escorting services,” he said. This includes full reconciliation of the content of containers, resealing after cross-border inspections as well as video and photographic verification. “Our focus remains on cost
saving as far as the supply chain is concerned as well as making border experiences as painless as possible,” he said. According to Van Zyl, the cross-border market remains a challenge thanks to the lack of infrastructure, training and skills. “One also has to deal with ever-increasing costs and changing legislation while bribery and corruption are still problematic,” he said. There are, however, real improvements being made, in Van Zyl’s view. “The state-ofthe-art port in Walvis Bay is an example.  Opportunities lie within a multi-modal approach as far as transport is concerned - as well as the utilisation of technology.”