Logistics operators are upbeat about the outlook for cross-border cargo growth. Willnes Eybers, borders manager GoBorders, expects cross-border trade to expand thanks to the growing international interest in African countries as well as the move towards more intra-regional African trade.“This will also result in an increase of import cargo moving through South Africa to the rest of the region,” he said.
The company recently opened a new office at Beitbridge in Musina to gear up its own capacity to meet the expected increase in demand.“We are currently one of the few cross-border operators that has a national consignor bond, allowing us to assist with cross-border trade between neighbouring countries who export out of South Africa,” says Eybers.Moving cargo f luidly, however, remains problematic at times.
“Delays are a reality and pose significant challenges,” he says. “The delays are a result of the high number of hub stops and physical inspections at the various borders in the region. We continue to address this problem at all levels to find ways of minimising delays”
According to Eybers another common problem is the lack of importer/exporter codes. “Trying to resolve this problem when the cargo has already arrived at the border post can be challenging and adds to delays.”He said the outbreak of Covid-19 had impacted on trade and would continue to do so in the foreseeable future.
