SACD outsources c&f as part of expanded service range

Alan Peat
SA CONTAINER DEPOTS has no intention of doing its own clearing and forwarding, but will provide the service for its clients by outsourcing.
That's the word from business development director Geoff Popple, in response to a recent industry accusation levelled by a senior Durban executive of a major forwarder.
"One of our customers received a quote from SACD," he said, "offering customs and harbour work, export bills of lading and servicing ocean freight.
"They're depot operators but this is directly competing with the c&f industry."
Not only that, the executive moaned, but it would enable them to misuse information confidentially submitted to them by c&f agent clients - related to all the business details of that forwarder's transactions with SACD.
"They'd tend to know everything about our business and our customers and would have an unfair competitive advantage."
But that's not the case, says Popple.
"We have expanded our services to include transport," he said, "and whatever else the customer might want.
"For example, if the client wants us to collect from the factory, carry it to SACD for packing, and transport it to the port, we'll provide all that. Before, we'd only do the packing."
But he stressed that the clearing and forwarding function would be outsourced.