Shipping & General entrenches outsourcing role

JOY ORLEK BEFORE OUTSOURCING became the flavour of the month, road transport specialist Shipping & General had already carved a lucrative niche in the industry, catering for clearing and forwarding agents, importers and exporters. “And as a registered customs-licensed carrier, fully Hazchem compliant, we’ve entrenched ourselves in the market,” says managing director Regan Moodley. He believes the 21-year old company’s 60-strong fleet provides the flexibility to deal with the industry’s peaks and troughs, which ensures an even flow of cargo all year round. “Most of our competitors have made the fatal mistake of investing solely in long-haul resources because of the attractive returns. But we have noted that there are seasons when the movement of FCLs (full container loads) are low and the groupage (less-than-container) market is considerably higher and vice versa. “The fact that we are equipped to handle LCLs and FCLs enables us to enjoy the best of both worlds, so we are in effect kept driven throughout the year.” Shipping & General operates its long haul fleet out of South Africa’s ports to and from the main city centres. Its primary routes are Durban-Johannesburg, PE – Johannesburg and Cape Town – Johannesburg. And when it comes to rates, the strategy is simple. “We market our national road haulage to existing clients who have often learnt that unreasonably cheap rates often leave a lot to be questioned when measured against the service delivered. “We believe that quality comes at a premium - but all within due reason. “Our investment in staff, equipment, safety and tracking devices, and driver training ensures that our customers receive fair trade for their money.”