We need to keep highlighting the importance of efficient border crossings and collaboration among various stakeholders as these are crucial to streamlining processes in the cross-border road freight industry. So says Natasha Lawrence-Ramiah, ocean and road freight branch manager at SACO CFR in Johannesburg.And, she says, exploring the potential benefits of digitalisation and technology adoption will significantly enhance operational efficiencies.Speaking to Freight News, Lawrence-Ramiah mentions several challenges impacting the movement of cargo across borders. Nevertheless, she remains optimistic about the future of cross-border road freight in South Africa.“The ongoing growth in cross-border volumes has propelled the growth of our road freight department as we continue to work towards improving efficiency and profitability,” she says. “One of the critical factors that has driven this growth is the ongoing focus and support from overseas agents for our local road freight product. Also, as the country’s economy continues to grow, there is an increasing demand for the transportation of goods across borders. “This growth, coupled with the implementation of favourable trade policies, has created opportunities for companies like ours to expand our operations and cater to the volume increase.”Lawrence-Ramiah says ongoing professionalism and training in the sector also makes a difference. “We have a small team, but the increased professionalism and training within the department has been the driver for our customer service and client retention. “ We have invested in training to enhance the skills of our team as well as their cross-border knowledge. This has improved service quality, compliance with regulations and overall operational efficiency.”She says the importance of training in the cross-border sector cannot be underestimated, considering the challenges the industry faces daily. “Managing and processing cross-border documentation and paperwork can be time-consuming and complex, requiring efficient systems and processes.”Furthermore, border delays and lengthy customs procedures have continued to hamper operations, while infrastructure and poor road conditions often result in delays.“Regulatory compliance can be challenging for cross-border road freight operators, leading to additional costs and administrative burden. The risk of theft, hijacking and other security threats along cross-border routes must be considered.“There are opportunities for improvement, such as regional integration initiatives, technology adoption and public-private partnerships,” she concludes.
