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.”