Groupage volumes by sea show growth

Groupage volumes to a number of destinations along the West African coast are growing, according to Levashni Govender, export route coordinator of CFR Freight South Africa. The company offers direct services into Apapa (Nigeria), Tema (Ghana) and Luanda (Angola). “LCL (less than container load) volumes out of South Africa are constantly growing for us,” she says. However, volumes are such that transhipment cargo from the main hubs in the Far East like Shanghai, Hong Kong or Singapore is now often loaded in direct boxes bypassing SA, she adds. CFR is establishing a network of strong agents which provide support to South African companies wanting to export into the region. “West African countries import 99% of their commodities. Shippers need to familiarise themselves with the needs of the market and then to align themselves with reliable partners,” she says. This approach is bearing fruit. “There has been a significant increase in our Angolan business due to the recent establishment of a partnership with our Angolan agents. Their excellent service and communication has been a key contributing factor to the growth on the route,” she says. CFR’s agents in Apapa, Nigeria, have invested in their own bonded warehouse. It is located close to the major seaport complexes of Apapa Wharf and Tincan Island. The secure facility is covered by CCTV with high definition cameras, says Govender. One of the biggest advantages for shippers is that it helps avoid the delays caused by congestion in the port of Lagos. “The warehouse hosts NCS (Nigeria Custom Service) and other regulatory personnel. This enables clients to collect cargo without delays, and is a definite competitive advantage,” she says. Further up the coast CFR has increased its Ghana Tema frequency to a weekly service. The company is the only groupage operator that offers a direct, weekly service, according to Govender. INSERT & CAPTION There has been a significant increase in our Angolan business due to the recent establishment of a partnership with our Angolan agents. – Levashni Govender