Freight collect service a big benefit for Africa consolidations

Dealing with the continent offers a plethora of opportunities, but it’s far from plain sailing – particularly if you’re moving cargo to Luanda. When FTW interviewed Peter Schmidt-Löffler, director of independent groupage operator CFR Freight, seafreight consolidation services to the port had been suspended indefinitely due to port congestion and difficulties with port operations and customs. “Shipping lines offer a service into Luanda but there’s no guarantee that the container will be offloaded there – it could end up being discharged in Lobito.” And this, according to Schmidt- Löffler, had been the state of play for the past two months. It’s all part and parcel of the challenge facing operators into Africa. CFR Freight has developed a firm foothold on the continent, serving the likes of Mauritius, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Angola, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria as well as regular services to neighbouring countries. Direct services are offered to all main ports in these countries. Some 20% of the company’s business is transhipment cargo sourced globally and channelled through CFR by its agents in the World Wide Alliance. “South Africa has achieved growing recognition as the hub for the rest of the continent and our growing transhipment volumes are evidence of this.” Of particular benefit is the company’s freight collect service into Africa, said Schmidt-Löffler, “where, through our network of agents, we can collect charges on behalf of the client.” And while a large majority of CFR’s consolidation cargo moves by sea and road, the company’s airfreight division is making significant inroads. “Through our efficient network and connections with the airlines we’re able to offer a competitive package.” And it’s this agency network that is more crucial than ever in Africa. “We have air and sea agents in all the major ports and hubs so that when problems arise they can be dealt with timeously.”