New express service slashes transit time

JOY ORLEK
LAST MONTH saw the launch by Payfreight Consolidations of an express containerised roadfreight service on the Johannesburg – Lusaka route, cutting transit time to Chirundu and Livingstone from the traditional 5 or 6 days to two. “There’s no cost premium for the service,” says Payfreight joint owner Kym Robson. “All we require is that the goods are cleared within forty eight hours from arrival at Chirundu/Livingstone or demurrage costs will apply. And if the clients are serious about receiving their cargo on an express vehicle, we are confident they will treat the clearance as urgent and delays in clearing will therefore be avoided.” Arguably the largest independent consolidation company focusing exclusively on the Gauteng-Lusaka/Ndola/Kitwe run, Payfreight has garnered a sizeable share of this growing market. “January to April this year was the best first quarter we have ever experienced in our 14-year history,” says Robson, and more of the same is expected for the months ahead. Consolidating at its Alrode South premises in Gauteng, the company currently despatches eight consolidation loads and three express containerised consolidations a week on the route. It expects to grow its express service from three to seven weekly express loads into Lusaka. Along with the rest of the industry, a more efficient border clearance operation would be top of the wish list. “We’d like to see speedier clearance at Chirundu and Livingstone, but there really is a lot of red tape, rules and regulations with clearing so it’s not always easy to accomplish,” she said.