But rail is king for inland haulage
KEVIN MAYHEW
COMPANIES MOVING cargo from the coast continue to have faith in rail transport to and from Gauteng, but prefer to change to road for the balance of sub-Saharan trips.
Alwyn Nel, the managing director of Johannesburg-based clearing and forwarding and road transport company Kingfisher Freight, says this preference is based on the perception that beyond Johannesburg, rail makes for unreliable planning. Bad maintenance, derailments and other eventualities make it a risky option.
“This need for control of delivery processes is heightened by importers from countries over the border having to buy forward. They want a return on their purchase as soon as possible and road provides the predictable door to door option they prefer,” he explained.
Into its 11th year of operation, Kingfisher has most of the elements in place to meet the needs of road freight in southern Africa.
“Certain elements are beyond our control such as customs infrastructure and facilities that are inadequate, but we adapt and keep the trucks moving,” he says.
