SA increasingly takes on role as project cargo hub

ALAN PEAT THE IMPORTANCE of SA in African projects, particularly those in southern Africa, is growing in leaps-and-bounds as international mining and resource firms move back into the continent, according to Victor Mesquita, projects manager at Manica Africa. “SA is not only a source for large amounts of project cargo,” he told FTW, “but also serves as a hub and consolidation centre for international cargo. “Aspects such as transport and facilities infrastructure, security, government regulation and operating efficiencies contribute to the increased use of this country for capital projects.” As the “hub” of southern Africa, Mesquita sees ports such as Durban and Johannesburg International Airport (JIA) becoming strategic logistics switch points for cargo from abroad destined for southern African projects. “Although much project cargo is procured internationally,” he added, “a large portion of the procurement occurs in SA. With an economy strongly based on mining and minerals, SA mining technology is among the best in the world. "