Shipping company invests in Eastern Cape

CMA CGM Group has opened offices
in Port Elizabeth to serve clients
making use of two new services
through the port of Ngqura.
“With SHAKA Express and SEAS
2 services, CMA CGM now provides
direct services linking Port Elizabeth
to Asia and South America, allowing
the group to meet the growing demand
of its customers on these strategic
trades,” says Arnaud Thibault,
regional director southern Africa,
CMA CGM and DELMAS.
The main commodities being
carried include exports of citrus,
minerals, wool, hides and fish, with
imports of chicken, meat and auto
parts from South America.
Thibault says the new services add
to the reefer capacity through the port
of Ngqura – “a very important strength
on these trades where refrigerated
goods represent an important part of
the volumes”.
Thibault says CMA CGM has “real
expertise” in refrigerated transport,
with a network of specialists in over
70 countries.
The new offices will also test the
new Ngqura port.
CMA CGM Group has been present
in North, West and East Africa
for more than 30 years, while its
subsidiary DELMAS has been serving
the sub-Saharan market since 1875.
With the acquisition of DELMAS
in 2006, the CMA CGM Group
has a network covering the African
continent, in addition to linking Africa
to the rest of the world, he says.
The Port Elizabeth office is
headed up by branch manager Tracy
Lovemore, who is supported by Aimee
Le Roux and Jo-Anne Osborn.
Lovemore has worked in the
industry for the past 11 years, joining
it “fresh from studying”. She has
experience in groupage, clearing and
forwarding, and liner services.
Responsible for internal sales, Le
Roux has five years’ experience in
airfreight, logistics and reefer exports.
Osborn has spent 19 years in the
industry, with experience across a
range of disciplines. All three are well
known in the local industry and are
out to set new standards for personal
service, according to Lovemore.
“The opening of the office is good
timing and is another illustration of
the Group’s determination to reinforce
its presence in South Africa,” says
Lovemore.