‘One of few companies offering consolidations direct from Durban’

Operating out of Durban has several advantages, says Vivian Govender of Transmax. “The Durban port is one of the biggest in Africa and has the shortest routes into Africa, but Durban itself is often overlooked in favour of Johannesburg. There is no doubt that operating out of Durban has its advantages to clients – the most important being cost.” Govender says it remains cheaper to move cargo from port to destination into Africa as opposed to transhipping via Johannesburg and then on to the final destination. One of the few companies to offer consolidations direct out of Durban, Transmax services the sub-Saharan region. “We have developed niche markets in Zimbabwe and Zambia as well as servicing Malawi and Mozambique.” With a warehouse in Pinetown, the company is able to handle both hazardous and non-hazardous cargo. “All our cargo is consolidated here and is loaded directly to cross border destinations preventing delays and double handling that results from transhipment via Johannesburg,” says Govender. But, he added, in recent times there have been challenges doing business in Durban. “The market is saturated with a lot of small companies trying to get by and they are offering cheaper rates without the knowledge of permit requirements and border clearance procedures. This can be very costly with deadlines missed and it impacts negatively on the industry.”