Key milestone for logistics major as Durban office opens

With Durban being a very
important location in South
African forwarding and clearing
terms, opening an office in Durban is a
key milestone in the continued growth of
a hartrodt South Africa.
According to managing director
Gerald Rowe, through this venture the
company intends to build up its client
base in sea and air forwarding, both
import and export in the Kwa-Zulu Natal
region. The office was officially opened
in March this year and is managed by
Marco Zachow, whom Rowe specially
brought out from the parent company in
Germany to head up the new venture.
“Whether we talk about general cargo
or project cargo, import and export,
it must be remembered that from a
worldwide trade perspective Durban is
the largest and busiest South African
port, not to mention that it is also the
main port of entry for freight into
Johannesburg as well as our northern
neighbours. It also seems that in the
future the ship repair and spares
business may play an increasingly
important role in Durban. It therefore
makes absolute business sense for us to
have our own presence in this important
port,” said Rowe.
And with the new King Shaka
International Airport due to open within
the coming year, he believes there will
be new airfreight opportunities through
additional direct flights to and from
this new international airport. He sees
the possibility of further opportunities
being provided through the new airport
and vicinity being incorporated into a
proposed new Free Trade Zone.
The ongoing and very visible
infrastructure investment being made
into the road systems and port facilities
of Durban and surrounds will definitely
make for increased ease of movement
for both cargo and personnel in the area,
said Rowe. “We are extremely happy to
be investing in a city that has such great
business potential, potential that we
believe can only help us in increasing our
southern African footprint.”