T he opening of a DP World bonded intermodal container depot at Komatipoort forms the nucleus of a distribution hub serving the northern regions of South Africa and Gauteng, says Tejas Nataraj, chief executive officer of DP World Maputo. With the opening of the first container terminal east of Gauteng, South African imports can be designated to perform final clearance at Komatipoort as the port of entry. This offers “substantial savings” in supply chain costs and the benefit of superior vessel reliability via the Maputo Container Terminal, he says. The supply chain savings will come from reducing the cost of unpacking, storing and repacking freight bound for Mpumalanga and surrounds in Gauteng. Shippers will also have an alternative gateway for Gauteng-bound cargo. DP World offers a full range of customs, police and health inspections, as well as the packing and unpacking of containers at its Komatipoort terminal, but Nataraj is keen to see other logistics companies building similar facilities in order to create the necessary critical mass of service providers at the border. The hub could also serve Zimbabwe and other southern African countries, as the Beitbridge border post is 590 kilometres from Komatipoort on largely uncongested roads. Manufacturers and valueadded logistics companies can benefit from the incentives offered in the nearby Nkomazi special economic zone. “It is a great opportunity for everyone,” says Nataraj.
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Shippers will have an alternative gateway for Gauteng-bound cargo. – Tejas Nataraj