Image adds local distribution wing

ALAN PEAT THE OVERBORDER specialist, Image Freight & Logistics, has just moved into its fourth year of operation. It now has a company-owned fleet of 12 flatbeds in combinations of 28 and 34-tons, and two specialised edible oil tankers which are self-heating - all dedicated to overborder transport, according to MD Anthony Sivalingam. The total fleet is Hazchem compliant, and all the vehicles have been fitted with C-Trak satellite tracking. “Our customers are updated with real time tracking,” Sivalingam told FTW. Specialising in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia, Image also owns sister company, Shilo Freight & Logistics, a customs clearing and forwarding organisation formed to cater to its overborder customers’ customs clearing needs. “This,” said Sivalingham, “designed to offer a one-stop shopping concept.” The latest development has been the establishment of a local transport operation - a harbour carrier covering a 50 to 100kilometre radius for container delivery/collection. “For this,” said Sivalingam, “we purchased both 6-metre sliding boogie skeletal trailers and 12-metre skeletal trailers. “This, together with our warehousing facilities, allows us to offer a better service to our customer base, as we are now able to clear containers through customs; transport containers to our facility; and unpack and reload onto overborder trucks - all in-house.” Image also has partnership arrangements with transporters in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia, effectively giving the company access to over 150 flatbed rigs at any given time. “Together with a motivated logistics team, this is all dedicated to providing a first-world service to our customers with constant upgrading and new purchases in keeping with our commitment to a sustainable expansion programme.”