RAY SMUTS CAPE TOWN-based CTC Worldwide Logistics has increased turnover two-and-a-half times over the past 12 months and plans to repeat that achievement this year. “Our motto – minimum hassle and a personal touch with a global reach – has proven us right over the last two-and-a-half years,” says managing director Hans Duncker. “Our customers want minimum problems with maximum expertise at competitive prices, which we are able to achieve as we run a tight ship with a small, dedicated and experienced team,” says Duncker. CTC Worldwide Logistics is mainly focused on containerised cargo – 60% imports, 40% exports – for a total of some 3 500TEU a year. While Europe is still the company’s major market, Duncker is mindful of the great opportunities that exist in China. This will become a priority market for the company this year, given that no more than 8% of its overall business is conducted with the Asian continent. Duncker says a major problem with handling containers is that many shipping companies have insufficient space on certain routes. “An issue that needs to be addressed is that ships coming into the Cape Town harbour have berthing and discharging delays resulting in the shipping lines off-loading a few containers and disappearing again “This results in our cargo being left behind at times or off-loaded in Port Elizabeth. It then has to be returned to Cape Town by road or rail and who must bear this cost ends up in a fight every time.”