‘NWC remains our strongest trade lane’

WHILE SEVERAL operators
are diversifying operations
away from traditional
markets to more lucrative
emerging opportunities,
independent groupage
operator CFR Freight
remains true to its core
business.
“North West Continent
has always been a strong
focus for us,” says managing
director Martin Keck,
“and while we’re also well
placed to take advantage of
opportunities in new trade
lanes, we have seen no
drop-off in volumes on this
route. In fact our figures are
now better than ever.
“With our strong network
in the region following the
link-up with new agents
two years ago, the NWC
remains our strongest trade
lane.”
A founder member of the
recently-established global
NVOCC grouping, Worldwide
Alliance, CFR has the agency
representation to compete
in a number of new markets
as well, says Keck.
“Key players in the
Worldwide Alliance include
Shipco Transport, a Danish
company headquartered in
the US, and Saco Shipping
of Germany. Both of these
provide the perfect mix
for entry into the growing
Eastern European market,”
says Keck.
“Shipco are well
represented with their own
offices in Poland and the
Baltic countries like Estonia
and Latvia, while Saco
recently opened its own
office in the Czech Republic.
And since Hamburg has
always been the gateway to
Eastern Europe we are well
placed for growth out of
that region.”
CFR’s strong portfolio
of direct services from
Gothenburg Hamburg,
Bremen, Rotterdam,
Antwerp. Le Havre and
Tilbury is a strong selling
point, says Keck. “Our
direct service options have
remained pretty constant,
but we keep in close touch
with the needs of our
customers.”
CFR’s direct export
services to the region are
continuously growing too,
says Keck.
The recently-launched
airfreight division, through
its strong global agency
network, has also recorded
significant growth,
particularly on the NWC
route, says Keck.
“It was launched three
years ago and has already
become a significant player
in the market both northand
southbound.”