Tobacco specialist records steady volume growth

As the global crunch makes its impact on transport volumes, there is one commodity that appears to be bucking the trend. Tobacco warehousing specialist Aquarius Shipping recorded a spectacular year last year and expects more of the same for the year ahead. The company’s vast warehousing facilities comprise 3 500m2 in Durban and a whopping 29 500 in Johannesburg. It’s currently at full capacity, says director Robert Poverello, and all indications are that volumes will continue at the same level for the year ahead. Aquarius diversified operations last year, marketing excess capacity in the tobacco off-season from March to July. The company added cotton to its product base during this period, but will stick to tobacco as its number one priority, says Poverello. “It doesn’t look as if there will be an off-season this year,” Poverello told FTW. “Malawi had a record crop in 2008, and all indications are that it’s heading in the same direction this year.” In addition, regional port problems resulted in a large volume being redirected through Durban – a further boost to the company’s local warehousing operation. Aquarius has steadily added capacity over the past few years - three years ago its facilities provided 6 000m2 of space, two years ago it was up to 15 000, with capacity almost doubled last year to 29 500m2. With Aquarius Shipping having notched up 11 years of experience in the tobacco industry, and the directors Darrell Goodwin, Rod Goncalves, Brian Fernandes and Poverello offering in excess of 20 years’experience in the tobacco market, the company recently extended its operation globally and opened offices in the UK and Antwerp. Headed up by new director, Brian Fernandes, the venture has already proved successful, says Poverello. The Antwerp warehousing base acts as a hub for most of Europe as Durban serves as a hub for Africa. Further growth into Brazil and India is currently being explored, Poverello told FTW, adding that the loyal customer base is what has made such a huge impact on the success of Aquarius Shipping over the past 11 years. Main export markets include China, Korea, Turkey, the Philippines, Egypt, Libya, Western and Eastern Europe and the US.