Growing NVOCC volumes into Africa

Durban-based freight forwarder South African Express Line is growing its African consolidation business. General manager Anna Gey Van Pittius says between 2009 and 2010 the company’s overall import volumes increased by more than 25%. “With regards to exports into Africa, there has been an increase in volume of 35% to Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Zambia,” she said. “We are very focused on Africa business in order to capitalise on our group’s extensive network on the continent,” she says. Van Pittius says the group’s Bollore Africa Logistics network has 22000 employees in over 200 offices in Africa which allows the firm to offer door-to-door solutions through its corridor approach. “We are well on our way to achieving our goal of becoming the biggest consolidator into Africa.” Van Pittius says SAEL focuses equally on imports and exports. “While imports obviously have the dominant volumes we have a strategic focus on the export market due to our competitive edge in Africa,” she adds. “The company’s LCL division has gone from strength to strength over the past few years,” she said.