Fixed berthing windows meet predictability demands

THE JUST in Time demands of the automotive and perishable industries are raising the bar for service providers at every stage of the logistics chain. “We’ve seen an increase in CKD (complete knock-down) components being imported from the likes of Asia, South America and North America,” says Safmarine’s Port Elizabeth branch manager Michael R Davies, “The motor industry, its supporting industries, and the perishables markets in particular are growth areas within the Port Elizabeth/Uitenhage area,” he said. “A reliable shipping schedule is key to ensuring that local OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) are able to meet their production targets, and fixed berthing windows are playing a key role in this." Safmarine and its partner lines have managed to negotiate fixed berthing windows with the SA ports on all main trades, which has led to a more predictable service for OEMs, says Davies. Flexibility also plays a key role, in his view. “We’re often required to reroute cargo at short notice to meet delivery deadlines to our customers.” Catering for the needs of the perishable industry, SATI - a member of the Safmarine Group – has entered into a joint venture with FPT. Together they have partnered with the Sundays River Citrus Company to open the Sundays River Valley Cold Store just outside Addo. “The cold store provides one of the largest citrus growing areas in the country with additional cooling facilities and will enable farmers to pack additional volumes of containers for loading via Port Elizabeth instead of trucking their goods into cold store facilities in the Cape Town area.”