JV creates opportunities for trade with Zambia

A joint venture between FT Global Logistics and Speedlink Cargo of Zambia will benefit Zambian shippers, according to Hilton Tait, chief executive officer of FT Global Logistics. “Speedlink is a wellestablished company with a 22-year history and a presence in South Africa. “The joint venture has helped fast-track the entry of FT Global Logistics into the market, while clients benefit from the economies of scale,” said Tait. “Volumes have grown quickly to three consolidated loads a week out of Gauteng to Zimbabwe. While this JV is aimed at the Zimbabwean route, the extensive marketing on the route has had significant spin-off business on other export routes,” he added. “We have canvassed over 100 South African export clients in the past two months. In addition to new Zimbabwean business, we have also secured road and air freight traffic on the Zambian route. “Volumes to Zambia are growing, as many exporters with goods bound for Zimbabwe also have regular traffic to Zambia. “We are now looking at a similar arrangement on the Zambian trade route,” he says. FT Global Logistics established a presence in Zambia primarily to support the activities of the First Tech Group of which it is part. These include Flint Construction, which designs and builds rail infrastructure mainly for the mining industries. The group also exports large volumes of HDPE piping to Northern Zambia, as well as lighting products and electrical components to appointed agents in Lusaka. “We now have a base from which to operate and the new business means we are now able to generate our own consolidation and full load rates for markets in Zambia,” says Tait. INSERT & CAPTION Volumes to Zambia are growing, as many exporters with goods bound for Zimbabwe also have regular traffic to Zambia. – Hilton Tait