Groupage operator offers direct services from China

AS GROUPAGE volumes on the Far East route
continue to escalate, CFR Freight has focused
on expansion of its direct service portfolio
into South Africa, avoiding hubbing wherever
possible, says MD Martin Keck.
“While Shanghai and Hong Kong have
traditionally been the key ports from China, CFR
has worked hard at implementing additional
alternatives for its clients developing direct
services from Tianjin, Qingdao, Ningbo and
Shenzhen (incorporating Guangzhou region).
In addition to Shanghai and Hong Kong, the
company now offers six weekly direct services
from China alone.”
Its established services from Japan, Korea,
Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan and Singapore
complete its direct service package from the Far
East, with the port of Singapore serving as a hub
for the rest of the region.
“Our exports to the entire region move via
the port of Singapore, but we are continuously
looking at adding direct services for our export
customers as well. This of course depends on
overall LCL export growth from South Africa,”
said Keck. In terms of volume the Far East
currently exceeds Europe and the Americas in
CFR’s worldwide portfolio, he added.