Small containers fill market gap

Increasing use is being made of smaller three metre containers to carry high-value goods to Zambia, according to Yogesh Kuntawala, of Lusaka-based Celtic Freight. They are being used to carry a variety of goods, including shoes, computer and electronic components, spares and machinery. These are ideal where the shipper does not have sufficient volume to fill a 20 or 40-foot box. “Buyers in Zambia are more comfortable if the high-value items come in containers,” he says. The containers provide security in transit and flexible storage solutions once the goods arrive at their destination. Celtic has its own terminal in Lusaka to handle both standard and the smaller containers. “We are the only company with the equipment needed to lift and stack containers to international standards,” he says. Celtic Freight provides independent offloading, storage, container loading and consolidation services at its Lusaka depot. Southbound containerised and breakbulk cargo is carried on the company’s fleet of some 120 trucks, to Durban or Johannesburg. For machinery being transported to South Africa for repair and return, the convenience of a smaller southbound load rather than a full load has been of help to Zambian companies, says Kuntawala. Breakbulk cargo, where required, can be containerised by Celtic Freight for shipping overseas. In a recent development, Celtic has been appointed the Zambian collection agent for established NVOCC Thrutainers. “This enables Thrutainers to offer a through bill of lading for LCL cargo. We believe this is a unique product that is benefiting Zambian importers in dealing with Chinese and Far East exporters,” he says.