Network changes bode well for Cape customers

New direct services on CFR radar screen
RAY SMUTS
GIVEN THE recent changes to its European network, CFR Freight SA is optimistic about the opportunities this presents for the company in the Western Cape. Says CFR Freight’s Cape Town branch manager Sean Menzies: “There’s been overwhelming support from our clients for this change and our weekly direct services from the UK, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Italy and Le Havre are showing encouraging growth. “Through the specialised use of technology, Shipco, Saco, SSC and their partners will bring transparency to the movement of their boxes and make the recapturing of documentation redundant through the use of EDI.” Menzies says CFR Freight has just completed its fourth customer training programme, an ongoing initiative that not only creates awareness but has also given the staff an opportunity to come up with some good ideas for improvements. Despite ongoing concerns about the rand’s volatility and how it is likely to affect export volumes, Menzies says that judging by steady volumes there seems to be a measure of resilience. CFR Freight is currently looking at putting together additional direct groupage services where opportunities exist based on the current destination mix. During the latter part of last year the company opened the Cape Town branch of its airfreight division, Neutral Airfreight Wholesaler, and is looking forward to providing its clients with a complementary service to seafreight. “The ongoing growth in the Western Cape is reflected in the steady increase in import volumes, of which we have seen steady 18%-20% per annum growth over the last thee years. “There seems to be an overall steady increase in volumes from the Far East, presenting opportunities for the development of additional services,” says Menzies.