‘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.”