Packaging specialist sets expansion sights on Africa

The cross-border market is
one of growing potential, but
has tricks all of its own to
play on unwary cargo transporters,
according to Ryan James, MD
of the cargo packing specialists,
Cratelogic.
You have to recognise that it is a
market that raises many problems
for those who are unfamiliar
with it.
“In my experience,” said James,
“cross-border cargo needs extra
attention if it is going to travel and
arrive safely.
“For example, most destinations
have limited equipment to handle
the cargo. This means that thought
has to be applied as to how the
client is going to offload containers
and unpack, and how he will
handle breakbulk loads and so on.”
Traversing cross-border nations
also highlights the fact that much
of the transport infrastructure
network is still underdeveloped,
poorly maintained if at all, and
often inadequate to handle modernday
freight vehicles.
Said James: “These bad road
conditions travelling cross border
also affect the cargo en-route.
This means that securing
cargo into crates, then into
containers, and then onto trucks,
is the most important part of the
packing process.
“Case markings and shipping
information is also critical –
because, should any cargo go
astray, it can at least be identified.”
With its extensive experience in
this often awkward marketplace,
Cratelogic has built ways of
satisfying clients’ needs into its
cross-border product package.
“As an added service to clients
sending cross-border,” said James,
“we have the facility to receive
and consolidate cargo then pack
and load, either onto trucks or into
containers. All this under-roof at
our Boksburg facility.”
And Cratelogic has its sights set
on an on-going development of this
promising market.
“We do target all export areas,
including cross border,” James
said, “and will be focusing more on
it in 2010.”