Full service offering sees surge in Zimbabwe freight

T here was strong growth in Zimbabwean exports and imports through the port of Beira during 2017, according to Drew Roberts, commercial manager Zimbabwe for the J&J Group. “Beira has shown robust growth as both an import and export port for Zimbabwe as its reputation as an upgraded and efficient facility grows. This combined with the advantage of its proximity to Zimbabwe. “The J&J Group had an excellent year in Zimbabwe in 2017 with record tonnages on both import and export cargo,” he says. Exports of chrome, ferrochrome, wheat and sugar have shown particularly strong growth. “Tobacco exports continue to grow as trust and confidence in Beira port and associated facilities increases within this industry,” he says J&J Group has helped chrome and ferrochrome exporters to overcome the challenge of a shortage of containers by providing a bulk export and Beira pack solution. “This solution has been further extended through tests with bulk vessels loading in Beira,” he says. The group is also able to facilitate the flow of crossborder cargo through different entities which provide the full range of services, including port clearance and handling, warehousing and necessary documentation to facilitate containerised, breakbulk and bulk cargo movement between Mozambique and Zimbabwe,” he says. The group also handles project and abnormal/out of gauge cargo. A recovery of Zimbabwe’s farming sector has led to an increase in imports of raw fertiliser which is blended for use in government-supported agricultural expansion programmes. “Other imports, including grains and related goods, have also showed increases in 2017.” J&J Zimbabwe is part of the larger J&J Group, which has a presence in Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi and Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Roberts is confident that there is capacity to handle additional growth in volumes in and out of Zimbabwe. “We have made certain that our capacity can handle further increases into and out of Zimbabwe and the region as a whole. “J&J is fully committed to Zimbabwe and its economic recovery and future expansion." J&J’s live tracking systems ensure that shippers have full visibility and access to information about the status of their cargo. This information is accessed online or through automated reporting, which can be customised.