New head of Africa at Hoëgh Autoliners

Thierry Collard has taken over as head of Africa at specialist ro-ro carrier Hoëgh Autoliners, based at head office in Johannesburg. He has relocated from Mumbai where he was general manager commercial South Asia, Oceania, Middle East and Africa – a regional commercial position that he will retain. With the automotive industry showing signs of recovery, Collard is cautiously optimistic although port costs and efficiency are key challenges that need to be addressed, particularly in the South African market. The line has however diversified its service mix. “We have developed new trades from the Far East, especially China to South and West Africa and are serving India and the Middle East to Maputo. “We are looking at new trade between Thailand and South Africa and are working on Ford exports from SA to Europe in 2011,” Collard told FTW. He brings to the position many years of experience, having joined Hoëgh Autoliners in 2001 as managing director for France and the French overseas territories after a five-year stint at CAT logistic in charge of the Renault overseas CBU, CKD and parts business. Previous to that he spent 18 years in the French Worms and SAGA Africa groups of companies in charge of port and shipping services in Europe, Africa and Indian Ocean.