German agent optimistic about growth

Increasing volumes in the run up to Christmas is high on the agenda of SACO Shipping, the German agent of neutral groupage operator CFR Freight, following a slow-down in the first half of the year. Speaking to FTW during a recent trip to the country, Jörn Mecklenburg said there had been a drop in volumes in the first half of the year which could be attributed mostly to the exchange rate. “The euro is strong and the rate of exchange is not encouraging imports,” he said. “The decrease has not been dramatic but we have seen volumes drop. We are, however, optimistic that this will change and that the second half of the year will see volumes improve.” Growing business on top of that is the ultimate aim. “We have a vested interest in South Africa as it is our entry point into the growing African market,” he said. “Despite lower volumes into South Africa we have seen this market grow consistently over the past few years. He said the growing middle class not only in South Africa but also across Africa boded well for the future and the continent was being watched and monitored closely by international companies such as SACO Shipping as more and more countries were opening up for trade. “But success on this continent is dependent on a good local partner and we have found that in CFR,” he said. “Visits by CFR agents to South Africa highlight the strategic importance of South Africa as a gateway to Africa,” said CFR general manager Lee Schoeman. “Despite tough trading conditions we continue to develop additional direct services into and out of South Africa and we have plans to expand into Africa,” he added. CAPTION SACO Shipping’s Jörn Mecklenburg and Sean Petzer of CFR Freight.