Sharaf Shipping has
opened new offices to
support the lines which
are expanding their
services into the Mozambican
ports.
Currently it has offices in
Maputo, Beira and Nacala,
with plans later to have a
presence in Pemba and possibly
Palma in the extreme North,
says Lionel Archer, regional
manager of Sharaf Shipping
Agency Mozambique, central and
northern regions.
Sharaf provides ships agency
and local support to United
African Feeder Lines (UAFL),
Deutsche Afrika-Linien (DAL),
It also handles the forwarding
inland of cargo to Malawi,
Zimbabwe, Zambia and the
Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Working in this region you
need to be able to make a plan
and achieve the seemingly
impossible. The biggest issue
is the poor quality and level of
infrastructure, coupled with a
very low standard of both public
sector and private logistical
support in the region.
“There are also many
unnecessary delays from regional
customs and at many regional
border posts. It takes 28 days
from Beira to Lusaka and back
on average, whereas the journey
could actually be done in four,”
he says.
Sharaf also provides logistical
support for project cargo into the
region.
According to Archer, the
decision by Sharaf to open
offices in Mozambique opens
up many new opportunities for
lines, importers, exporters and
forwarders, as well as expanding
intra-African trade.
“Sharaf has possibly the best
presence in Africa, than any
other ships agency,” he says.
Vessels handled by Sharaf
through Mozambique carry
tobacco to Europe, cashew nuts
and pigeon peas to India, as well
as cow peas, sesame seeds and
ground nuts.
Imports include consumer
goods out of India (“there is a
surprising demand for basic food,
bicycles and bicycle parts”), used
clothing, clothing and low-cost
products from China, India and
the rest of Asia, he says.
“Close to” 20,000 containers
of used clothing are also being
imported by aid agencies such as
Danida and used clothing dealers
in the region through the ports of
Maputo, Nacala and Beira.
There is also rice from
Pakistan and Thailand, and
large quantities of cooking oil,
biscuits, sweets and milk powder.
Lines supported by Sharaf
offer twice weekly services out of
Beira, Nacala and Maputo, with
calls in Pemba on demand.
INSERT & CAPTION
Sharaf has possibly the best
presence in Africa than any
other ships agency.
– Lionel Archer
