MSC comes on strong in Zambia

30 Jul 2013 - by Ed Richardson

MSC’s decision to open
its own offices in
Lusaka is already
making waves in the
shipping industry serving Zambia,
according to Mesele Seyuba, who
has returned to his home city
to establish the Mediterranean
Shipping Company (MSC)
corporate presence in the country.
Born and raised in Zambia,
Seyuba spent some time in minerals
exploration after graduating from
the University of Cape Town.
MSC is building on the existing
support network it had in Zambia
before the opening of the offices,
and is now in a better position to
“ensure a smooth passage of cargo”
in and out of the country, he says.
“We opened the office in order
to support the economic growth
of Zambia. MSC can help bolster
exports of both minerals and
agricultural products by offering
tailor-made solutions,” he says.
The line works closely with
forwarders in order to offer the best
transport solutions to shippers.
“We are not forwarders or clearing
agents. What we are selling is
shipping and ocean freight,” he says.
Shippers and their agents are
now able to liaise directly with the
shipping line in Zambia. Working
with sub-contractors, MSC is able
to provide a through bill of lading
from source to destination.
“We have stringent arrangements
in place with transporters to ensure
that they are reliable and that the
cargo is fully covered by insurance,”
he says.
Seyuba encourages clients to
work closely with the shipping
line so that the Lusaka office can
ensure that “all relevant parties are
correctly lined up.
Full container loads are
now accommodated,
with the Lusaka office
returning the empties
into the MSC system
through Beira and Dar
es Salaam.
Alternatively,
containers can be
destuffed in Durban and
conveyed as breakbulk
cargo.
“What we offer is
tailor-made solutions.
We are responsive to the
needs of clients and do
our best to match the services we
offer to their requirements.
“We are also confident
that we are in the best
position to give the
best rates,” he says.