Export portfolio expands to UK and Singapore

Non-vessel operating
common carrier (NVOCC)
and freight forwarding
company, Afristar Freight,
has expanded its export
portfolio to include the
United Kingdom (UK) and
Singapore.
“Singapore is an ideal
hub for export cargo to
Australasia as well as the
west coast of the United
States,” said Afristar
managing director,
Michael Ryan, who told
FTW that the company had
seen good growth in export
services into Africa as well.
“Ocean services to West
Africa, notably Tema
and Lagos, receive good
support from our global
network as well as local
customers,” commented
Ryan. According to him,
Zambia and Zimbabwe
have proven to be resilient
export markets despite
their economic challenges.
“Our direct Durban to
Harare, Zimbabwe service
averages three to five
days’ transit time and our
Lusaka service averages
about seven days and has
remained a popular route,”
Ryan said, pointing out
that its Mombasa, Kenya
service had also shown
growth, particularly
to destinations such as
Nairobi and Kampala.
“We have placed special
emphasis on growing our
African trade routes and
we are pleased to say that
our new service offerings
to Botswana and Malawi,
launched last year, are also
showing growth,” he said.
Ryan said Afristar had
also seen increased
demand from African
countries for its import
services via Durban,
offering a through bill
of lading from the port
of origin to the final
destination. “Having our
own in-house RIB/RIT
team enables us to transit
customs faster – and
working in tandem with
our agents at each border
post, our road services
experience minimal
delays,” he said.
International LCL
volumes were up and
services from China now
included all the main
Chinese ports, said Ryan.
“Secondary ports such as
Dalian and Xiamen are
serviced via our Hong
Kong hub.”
Ryan said additional
volumes were also
originating from less
developed countries in
markets such as South
East Asia, including
Cambodia, Vietnam and
Myanmar as Chinese
factories relocated in
search of cheaper labour.
CAPTION
The Afristar board of directors: (L-R) Michael Eagar, Seema
Ryan, Michael Ryan, and Kevin Deeb celebrating the
company’s second anniversary this month.