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.”