Overnight service launched from Jo’burg to Maputo

MBABANE Hot on the success of its start-up Johannesburg to Botswana overnight consolidated service, Swaziland-based Express Cargo plans to extend its service within the month to Maputo, Maseru and Bloemfontein. “We will be operating a groupage service from Johannesburg to Maputo from November 1. The delivery time will be four days because of customs which is a bit of a challenge there,” said company manager Mark Svenningsen. While a courier service takes three days, Svenningsen says: “We are a bit of a different animal from courier. Other consolidators drop off their deliveries at customs in Maputo, and customers have to go and pick up their goods. We deliver to the customer’s door. This adds another day or two because we handle the customs work, but we believe we are adding value with this service.” Vehicles will depart Johannesburg for Maputo daily, Monday through Friday. “We are in our fifth month of the Botswana service, with trucks leaving Johannesburg Monday through Thursday to Gaborone. It’s overnight from Johannesburg, two days from Durban. Goods are pre-cleared via EDI on the SA side, and in the near future will be cleared by EDI on the Botswana side, too,” said Svenningsen. Swift delivery of groupage goods from Johannesburg to Maseru also begins November 1, where the final hurdle toward establishment of the service has been cleared: the acquisition of a warehouse. That same day sees the launch of the Johannesburg to Bloemfontein route.