New service caters for smaller shipments

4PL Africa has strengthened its cross-border offering with the expansion of its consolidated freight service from South Africa to Zambia, supporting growing trade volumes and customer demand in the region. According to managing director Paul Cunliffe, the service leverages 4PL Africa’s extensive owned asset base to provide a guaranteed departure schedule, giving customers greater control over ordering and stock management. “In addition to our existing part-load service on our superlink assets, we now cater for smaller shipments ranging from shoebox-sized parcels to multiple pallets that don’t make up a full load – using our smaller 12-ton trucks,” he said. Onward distribution to all regions in Zambia is handled by 4PL Africa’s own in-country fleet, ensuring a fully integrated, one-stop service that remains entirely under the company’s control. Cunliffe added that the company had recently opened a dedicated office on the Zambian side of the Kazungula border post to handle all clearing requirements and facilitate seamless border crossings. “This further supports our transit time promise and reinforces our commitment to efficiency throughout the supply chain,” he said. Deliveries from Johannesburg to Lusaka currently take four days, with transit times as quick as three and a half days on a good run. “The service has been very well received by our customers who are already making use of it,” said Cunliffe. When asked about current trends in the Zambian market, Cunliffe acknowledged a challenging start to the year. “The first half of the year was a mess – volumes were down and no one really knew where things were heading. Nonetheless, our clients’ resilience prevailed and things gradually began to normalise. The currency strengthened and there has been a noticeable shift in sentiment, with a general uptick in attitude felt across the market,” he said. Currency volatility has been a key concern in Zambia for some time. “The uncertainty of where the currency is going to settle is always going to be a challenge, but we do try and preempt it, albeit sometimes with limited success,” he added. Looking ahead, Cunliffe said there was cautious optimism in the market, particularly with growing interest in the copper sector. “There’s a lot of talk about the copper market gaining ground. We believe that those who are well-positioned for a strong upswing will be able to take full advantage and cement long-term relationships with their clients.” Commenting on the industry outlook for Zambia, Cunliffe was confident. “We’re very upbeat, especially when it comes to premium transport services. The market is recognising the value of a reliable, well-run service provider that understands specific needs and remains flexible.” LV