Ray Smuts P&O Nedlloyd South Africa will centralise its national import department in Cape Town. The decision kicked in at Port Elizabeth/East London on September 15, and will take effect in Johannesburg on September 22 and Durban on September 29. “This central approach to servicing our import customers will out of necessity redefine some of the methods in which we conduct our business,” managing director Barry New told FTW. “At the core of of the company’s centralisation process is the concept and introduction of the Import Shipment Owner who will be in direct contact with importers and clearing and forwarding agents.” New says although the whole team will be based in the Cape Town office they will be knowledgeable about local conditions pertaining to the geographical territory for which they are responsible as well as specific customer requirements. While the company’s import department will be centralised in Cape Town the company’s existing branch offices in Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and East London remain fully operational.
