NVOCC predicts upturn for exports

LEONARD NEILL
DON’T BE dismayed by the current downward trend in the export market. The tide will turn before the end of 2004.
That’s the prediction from NVOCC Freight Services’ Francois Collinson.
“It’s been an unsettled start to the year for exporters,” he says. “The fluctuation in the rand/dollar exchange rate accompanied by numerous rumours in the market has played its role. Then there has been the waiting period in the run-up to the general election.
“While the strong rand has definitely resulted in a decrease in exports, we have also witnessed an upsurge in imports from various parts of the world. Cargo can now be brought in from UK, Europe, USA and the Far East at relatively competitive rates.”
Another issue for exporters has been the delay caused by more and more customs ‘stops’ on cargo leaving the country, says Collinson. “This has been a serious deterrent for exporters. But I see a turn in the tide before the year’s end, especially as far as the exchange rate is concerned. It may not be a good sign for the man in the street, but it will be a welcome sign for exporters.”
His company started out as Ôa little fish in the pond’, says Collinson, but has developed into a major competitor, offering groupage services to numerous destinations around the world.
“We are strong in the Far East and Africa with weekly direct services into Dar-es-Salaam, Mombasa, Port Louis and Tema. Our Far East service uses the hub ports of Singapore and Malaysia, offering extremely flexible rates.
“We offer a bi-weekly service to Lagos, a monthly option directly into Luanda and a service to Matadi, although these are expensive.”