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.”