Productivity issues continue to inhibit business growth

KING & Sons has maintained steady business growth
despite the huge challenges facing the industry in
the Southern African region, says general manager
Mahomed Kajee
“Our success over the past year is closely linked
to that of our major principals – MACS, GAL and
OACL – who have competed strongly in their
respective trades,” he told FTW.
In addition the company took over the agency
requirements for NYKLauritzenCool a year ago and
its focus has been to develop a strong working
relationship amongst the various stakeholders.
Over and above its liner and non-liner principals,
King & Sons handles the World Food Programme
export aid cargoes from South Africa into a range
of African countries.
But while the industry continues to grow
at pace, it is being severely tested by port and
logistical constraints, says Kajee.
“Despite retaining its status as the premier
port in Africa, Durban faces many challenges over
the next 3-5 years,” he added. “Bulk and breakbulk
cargoes that have for decades traditionally
transited the port are, at a rapid rate, being lost to
ports like Richards Bay and Maputo.
“Water and land-based productivity issues
still dominate most discussions around ship
turnaround times, and this is compounded by the
surge in container volumes which have exceeded
the capability of existing port, road and rail
infrastructures.
“The knock on effect, not only in Durban but at
all ports, is that greater pressure is placed on the
ship’s agent to deliver a consistent service of high
quality in the face of much adversity.”
The erratic supply of bunkers has also resulted
in owners giving Durban a wide berth. “This has
deprived not only the port, but the city at large,
of badly needed income. A significant volume
of bunker business has been lost and the trend
continues unabated.”
King & Sons will continue to work with the port
to improve efficiency levels for its principals and
customers through direct engagement and also via
the amalgamated ASL/ASABOSA forum, says Kajee.
For the future a strong area of focus for the
company, which celebrated its 125th anniversary
last year, will be to secure new principals, he
added.
“King & Sons is arguably the largest ship’s
agency company with offices spanning 12 ports
from Mozambique on the East Coast to Namibia on
the West Coast.”