Mini containers offer faster delivery for smaller loads

GETTING ACROSS the message of the value of the mini container and, at the same time, convincing forwarding agents that his company is not in competition with them, has been the
two-fold task of Herbert Ngwenya, g.m. PX Africa.
More and more the freighting industry is appreciating the value of the mini container, he says. Telling the agents we need their business and are not competitors is a different proposition, but we are beginning to understand the situation, he says.
We are not the door to door deliverers who work against them. Instead it should be made clear that although we collect and deliver to the consignee, this does not include documentation.
We don't specialise in the customs clearance process and that is where we need the agent.
Inhouse customs officials have now been placed at
PX depots in neighbouring countries to ease the problems on arrival, however.
Marketing manager Tim Ronaldson takes up the tale of the value of the mini containers.
They are a quarter of the size of the regular container, but can be stacked in fours to meet the normal six metre requirement of a full container, and in pairs for a three metre requirement. The internal dimensions are 2,296m long, 1,413m wide and 2,461 high. Cubic capacity is 7,9 cubic metres or 3000kgs.
But what they offer is faster delivery time for smaller loads. Using road and rail as we do, it means that the exporter doesn't have to concern himself with having a smaller load delayed until the full-sized container is packed. Now we can arrive with the mini, let him pack it, and off it goes without delay.
Minis come in normal standard units as well as insulated and ventilated containers where an opening on both sides, operated from within the container, permits the flow of fresh air as needed.
Shelved containers also afford the tighter packing of small loads in layers as necessary. Stainless steel tanks are also available (3000 litre).
What we move is sealed and moved in a container, whatever requirement is needed, he says.