Expect a road rate hike in January

YOU CAN expect a hike in road transport rates at the start of the new year, according to Geoff Epstein, internal auditor at Safcor Panalpina.
ÒThe industry has been undergoing change and rationalisation for some years,Ó he said, Òparticularly in import container traffic from the various ports to inland destinations.Ó
The result of this market pressure, Epstein added, is that many road transporters are finding their margins substantially reduced - if there at all.
"It is our experience that transport companies are simultaneously increasing prices, while shortening the periods for which they will hold their prices firm."
Epstein therefore expects a general price increase from transport companies on inland routes from January 1 next year.