SA the preferred gateway for project cargo

There are several projects in the pipeline for Diamond Shipping Services this year, particularly after the company managed the carriage, discharge and handling of the first locomotives imported by Transnet Freight Rail from China late in 2013. So says Jagmohan Singh, national operations manager of Diamond Shipping Services, who says project handling comes with its challenges. “It involves precise calculations, usage of the proper handling equipment and effective communication with port authorities, hauliers, police escorts, surveyors and more,” he notes, adding that effective project cargo management should always have an effective contingency plan. Opportunities abound for project cargo growth as Africa is a “favoured playground of project cargo operators”, particularly for the mining, renewable energy, infrastructure development, mineral resource and transportation projects that are on the go, he told FTW. “South Africa has become the preferred gateway for many project cargo movements into sub-Saharan Africa, with Durban and Richards Bay acting as key gateway ports for these cargoes,” says Singh. “With 17 offices located throughout Africa, representing numerous ship and project cargo operators, Diamond Shipping Services is wellentrenched in this specialised sector and we hope to take advantage of this growth opportunity,” he said. CAPTION Big arrival … Diamond Shipping Services was integrally involved in the carriage, discharge and handling of the first locomotives imported by Transnet Freight Rail.