Strong inland haulage capability adds muscle to China operation

As China’s manufacturing base increasingly moves from coastal regions to inland towns, forwarding agents are paying closer attention to strengthening their inland haulage capability in the region. For World Cargo Services, which offers a weekly service from China’s main ports, this has always been a focus, says managing director Colin Atkins. “It’s been our strong point in the USA and we’re replicating the formula in China where cargo is being moved Ex Works at some of the inland cities rather than FOB at the ports.” WCS entered the Chinese market two and a half years ago and currently runs weekly services to Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg from Shanghai, Ningbo and Hong Kong. “We’re also the first South African company to offer a weekly service from Chengdu, Sichuan – where most of the IT manufacturing takes place – to Shanghai for onward transit to SA ports,” says Atkins. The company’s global partner in China, CaroTrans, has nine offices at all the major ports and employs 180 staff. Atkins describes the market as very volatile and overtraded. “But our volumes are climbing steadily thanks to our competitive rates on ocean freight as well as the inland leg which is largely thanks to our relationship with CaroTrans.” WCS’s involvement in India is a newer venture, having entered the market more recently, initially handling mainly project cargo, breakbulk and FCLs into East and West Africa. “We are working on a consolidation product at the moment, and this should be ready for launch in the near future.” According to Atkins, volumes from both China and India into South, East and West Africa are significant, and he’s upbeat about continued growth as the company establishes its footprint in these markets. As the Brics relationship gathers pace, South America is clearly on the WCS radar. While a South America service is not yet up and running, Atkins expects to launch into this market within the next 12 months offering an FCL, LCL and airfreight product. CAPTION Colin Atkins … South America service on the cards.