Harare-based
Alro Transport
is using its
geographic
position to serve as a
central hub for growth
throughout the region.
The Zimbabwean capital
is strategically placed on
the main trade routes
between Beira to the
east and Durban to the
South, and the growing
economies of Botswana,
Zambia, Malawi and the
Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC).
Alro trucks can be
seen loading various
commodities including
fertiliser and maize
direct from vessels in
the Mozambican port of
Beira, and machinery
and other commodities
in Johannesburg for
mines in Zambia and the
Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC).
Ongoing investment in
vehicles and meticulous
maintenance programmes
have kept the company’s
f leet of approximately
80 trucks moving, says
director Rob Follett-Smith.
The company is able
to provide a range of
services through its sister
company Alro Shipping,
offering both international
forwarding services, and
ships’ line agency services
in Zimbabwe for Ignazio
Messina, and MOL.
There is also a container
storage depot on site at its
premises in Harare.
“The facility provides
added f lexibility to both
lines,” he says.
Alro’s customers and
their transport division can
draw or deliver containers
at any time, including
weekends.
The company has
offices in Harare, Mutare
and Beitbridge, and in
conjunction with its
Johannesburg-based sister
company Leo Shipping
Services, it handles both
consolidated and full loads
from South Africa.
The consol service
is carried out at
its warehouses in
Johannesburg and Harare.
According to Follett-
Smith, Beira is rapidly
becoming the main import
gateway for Zimbabwe and
its neighbouring states in
the region.
For the past few years
around 80% of the freight
carried by Alro Transport
has been to and from
Beira, with 20% from
Johannesburg.
This trend is likely to
remain as the port of Beira
continues to improve its
efficiencies and reliability
of service, he says.
INSERT & CAPTION
Handling consolidated
and full loads from
South Africa.
– Rob Follett-Smith
