New logistics facility opens in Beira

With the granting of a customs licence, Independent Beira Logistics Terminals & Services (IBLT&S) is now able to handle fully bonded transit cargo. Services provided by the terminal include destuffing and packing, refumigation, consolidation and intermodal transhipment, according to managing director Christian Roeder. “We can handle any cargo that does not require warehousing,” he says. The facility can store 5 000 TEUs at any given time. Equipment on site includes forklifts for destuffing and packing, as well as container stackers. “We transfer most commodities from truck to container within an hour,” he says. There are minimal delays caused by rain as the paving, which covers the entire facility, is designed to drain quickly. Containers are sealed and customs cleared at IBLT&S and transported in bond to the port. This minimises delays and enables shippers to meet stack dates as the facility works as an additional staging area for the port, according to Roeder. IBLT&S is strategically situated away from the main city traffic on the Beira-Machipanda highway. It prefers to cross-haul containers at night or at off-peak times in order to reduce congestion on the roads and to avoid delays caused by peak hour traffic. All cargo is weighed in and out on a 70-ton weighbridge and all activities are monitored through a CCTV system within a fully fenced off site. High level (30 metre) light masts both add to the security and ensure that operations can continue round the clock. “We focus heavily on security and safety. For example, we do not service unbranded trucks, and we also do not accept unroadworthy vehicles. “Proper” controls at the gate ensure that IBLT&S knows who is on site at any time, and can stop non-compliant vehicles before they enter. Safety and security also come through ongoing staff training, following targeted recruitment. The company has set itself the target of having more female operators. “Our experience is that female operators are involved in fewer accidents. We are helping to open up opportunities for females in the industry,” he says. INSERT & CAPTION We transfer most commodities from truck to container within an hour. – Christian Roeder