New logistics depot opens in PE

MSC Logistics gears up for Eastern Cape potential ALAN PEAT THE LANDSIDE freight movement company, MSC Logistics, is making a major thrust into the Eastern Cape – with the recent official opening of its new logistics and warehousing depot on September 10 marking the occasion. “After almost a year developing the operation,” said Johannesburg-based director, Georgi Georgiev, “we have now really put MSC Logistics on the map in the Eastern Cape.” The depot is being serviced by 15 trucks and 30 trailers, and its core cargo will be covering Volkswagen SA’s supply chain between the harbour at Port Elizabeth and its assembly plant at Uitenhage. This, according to Georgiev, will complement his company’s services to other shipping clients – receiving and distributing full containers on their behalf. He also told FTW that MSC Logistics currently had a limited rail service between Gauteng and Port Elizabeth. “It’s not very big yet,” he said, “and it is another area where we can expand as the market demand grows. But it will depend on what Spoornet can offer us in the way of guaranteed rail capacity.” Georgiev also has his sights set on developing both road and rail services for the Coega port development, and expects things to be up-and-running for that by 2008. “We see this whole Eastern Cape area as a window of future opportunity,” he said, “and – with the depot, a full set of transport equipment and 50 fully-trained staff – we have the means to match the demand it will present.”