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.