Low freight rates remain
one of the biggest
challenges facing the
groupage sector at
present.
The
result of an
overcapacity
of shipping
line space, it
places pressure
on local
operators.
But on the
up side, said
CFR Freight
managing
director
Martin Keck,
volumes are
on the increase
for both imports and exports.
“This is a very positive trend
we have picked up on and we
are continuing to develop new
trade lanes to support this.”
These include new seafreight
services from the United
Arab Emirates, Pakistan and
Mauritius as well as exports to
Zambia and Italy.
The
company has
also increased
frequencies
to Ghana and
Kenya.
“Airfreight
has also
recorded
growth this
year with a
significant
increase in
exports – both
into Africa and
the rest of the
world. We’re
also seeing growing support for
our import consolidations from
Germany, China and the USA.”
Investment in IT solutions is
helping to support this growth,
he added.
Keck said the
commoditisation of services
through Internet platforms
focusing solely on pricing
remained a challenge. “We
implicitly believe in service
and the human factor and
continue to develop our
products around this – while
at the same time ensuring that
we remain a leader in terms
of IT solutions.
“External factors such
as the global and local
economy, politics and
currency depreciation
have become
unpredictable and
extremely volatile,
significantly
impacting business.”
But, he said, with
exports into Africa
growing, being
connected to powerful
international networks and
focusing on internal strengths,
the company remains
committed to expanding
its portfolio and
footprint and
shifting its
clients’ worlds.
INSERT & CAPTION
Commoditisation
of services through
Internet platforms
focusing solely on
pricing remains a
challenge.
– Martin Keck
