New Atlanta hub cuts transit for groupage from US

Joy O rlek UNITED MARITIME L ogistics has significantly cut transit times for groupage cargo from the South East of the United States with the opening of an Atlanta hub. “We launched the service at the beginning of June and it’s been hugely welcomed because of the reduced transit time,” Johannesburg-based director Corinne French told FTW. “Previously all cargo was fed through New Y ork. “Shipments from Charlotte, Atlanta, Memphis, Charleston and Dallas are now consolidated in Atlanta, sailing from Charleston, which translates into a transit saving of 7-10 days,” said French. “Because of the volumes we’re moving out of the region, the introduction of this additional hub made logical sense.” UML has also adjusted its South African discharge port, in line with changes to shipping line schedules from the US. And this has also worked in the shipper’s favour in terms of transit times, said French. All Johannesburg-bound cargo is now routed via Port Elizabeth rather than Durban. “Because PE is not as congested as Durban, we can move boxes far quicker.” 2007 represents a milestone for UML which celebrates five years in business, a period which has seen strong growth for the company which specialises in the movement of groupage imports from the United States.