One-way container service saves costs

“With large amounts of cargo being exported from South Africa to East Africa, we are able to offer one-way use of containers with collection in SA and drop off in Mozambique, Kenya and Tanzania,” says Francois du Plessis, regional sales manager of the Almar Container Group. “This offers shippers great flexibility and allows them to negate the risk of demurrage and the cost to return the containers to South Africa,” he says. The containers are then made available for lease or purchase in the respective East African countries. “In Mozambique, we currently have containers in depot facilities in both Nacala and Maputo,” he says. Almar was established in 1988 by managing director Alistair Forbes, with the core business of leasing and trading containers. It now has a global footprint, which includes offices in South Africa, Dubai, Brazil, Mombasa, Luanda and Dar es Salaam. A Mozambican-registered company was opened a year ago in order to cater for the growing demand, says Du Plessis. “There are a number of very large projects currently on the go in Mozambique, namely the coal terminal currently being constructed in Nacala as well as the upgrading of the railway lines to Beira and Nacala from Tete. “These are substantial projects and will drive a great deal of activity in the country. In the short- to medium-term, these projects are great. “However, from a long-term sustainability perspective, Mozambique has very minimal industrial output and its growth is all off the back of its mineral reserves. “That said, a recent investment announced by BP of 62m Euro into the modernisation of local infrastructure is one of numerous signs from the global business community that Mozambique has a lot to offer investors,” he says. In Mozambique, Almar supplies shipping containers for sale or rental “largely focused on domestic or static requirements”, as well as inland logistics needs. “We have an alignment with LBH Mozambique, which has offices in Maputo, Nacala, Beira and Pemba and has been operating in the country for over 20 years. “Their services include clearing and forwarding and logistics, so there is good synergy between the two companies. “We also supply flatpack accommodation modules that have been very successful in providing instant space for a rapidly growing demand for accommodation, especially in Nacala and Palma,” he says. Almar is in the process of assembling an accommodation block in Nacala that is due for completion by the end of November 2013. Du Plessis says the establishment of the Mozambican company is part of a broader African strategy. “We are looking to expand into East Africa and Mozambique is just one of the countries we are looking to develop. “It is still early days for us, but we are positive about the prospects of the region, especially in the short to medium term,” he says. INSERT & CAPTION Mozambique has a lot to offer investors. – Francois du Plessis