Shift in routing preferences impacts volumes

As trade into Zambia remains a focus, logistics providers are prioritising reliability, visibility and end-to- end service delivery. According to Natasha Lawrence-Ramiah, general manager for SACO Shipping’s ocean and road division, demand for seamless connections between global trade lanes and southern Africa’s inland markets is driving much of the company’s recent momentum. “What’s driving our growth specifically is the increasing need for flexible, end-to-end logistics solutions that can seamlessly link global trade routes with inland southern Africa,” she said. “Our ability to offer weekly LCL and FCL sailings combined with consistent road departures from South Africa positions us as a preferred partner for clients looking for predictability, transparency and cost-effective delivery into Zambia.” Additionally, she said, the company’s neutral positioning in the market had also played a significant role in its growth trajectory. “It allows us to work with a wide network of freight forwarders and agents, ensuring much broader access, which further fuels our expansion and reach into the Zambian market.” SACO Shipping has bolstered its Zambia-bound service offering with multiple weekly road departures into Lusaka and the Copperbelt, enabling faster and more reliable lead times. Clients also benefit from real-time cargo tracking and milestone updates, providing full visibility from port to inland delivery. “We have also established a dedicated Africa Desk to oversee all freight bound for Zambia and other African countries, whether by ocean or road. This team provides expert guidance on border formalities and documentation, helping clients navigate complex regulatory requirements with greater ease and confidence,” said Lawrence-Ramiah. Borders remain one of the biggest challenges in southern Africa, and Zambia is no exception. “The inefficiency at key border posts, particularly at Chirundu and Kasumbalesa, remains an issue,” Lawrence-Ramiah told Freight News. “This often results in significant delays and increased transit costs.” She added that inconsistent customs procedures and limited infrastructure further impacted supply chain reliability, compromising delivery timelines. A trend to watch – and one that could be concerning – is the shift in routing preferences among regional shippers. “While our Zambia volumes have remained steady year-on- year, we’ve observed a plateau in growth due to a shift in routing preferences,” said Lawrence-Ramiah. “Many shippers are increasingly moving cargo via Beira and the Port of Dar es Salaam, which has diverted some traffic away from the traditional South Africa-to- Zambia corridor.” This shift has contributed to a stagnation in volume growth and highlighted the need for service providers to maintain strong competitiveness and efficiency to stay relevant in an evolving market. According to Lawrence- Ramiah, the outlook for Zambia remains cautiously optimistic. “As a neutral NVOCC with a strong ocean freight foundation and a well-established cross- border road freight service, we see continued opportunity in Zambia’s role as a land-linked gateway to Central Africa,” she said. “While volumes have remained steady, we anticipate that infrastructure investments, regional trade integration and growing demand across key sectors such as mining and agriculture will drive long-term growth.” With this in mind, demand for reliable consolidated cargo services into Zambia is expected to rise. “Zambia’s import needs remain consistent across sectors like mining, construction, agriculture and retail – driven by infrastructure projects, regional trade growth and ongoing urban development.” LV