Training initiative targets vehicle logistics

An example of the tight parking requirements on a roro vessel … training designed to set the benchmark for quality control. TERRY HUTSON A SIMULATED training exercise designed to improve quality and safety of motor vehicle logistics is the latest initiative developed by a combined stakeholder team in the automotive industry. To ensure that motor vehicles remain in showroom condition it is essential that they are handled with the utmost care, which is why K-Line, in conjunction with Toyota, Freightmarine, Rennie Murray, Bidfreight Port Operations and their approved driver team ILC, have developed the programme. Held at the NPA Training Academy in Durban, it is the first of its kind in South Africa. Training revolves around a simulated environment similar to what faces the logistics team. The driving course closely resembles what is found on board the car carriers with ramps, tight turns, lashing points and all the features that face technical handling of motor vehicles in the ports and on the roro vessels. The aim is to achieve continuous improvement, an essential target considering that the industry is on a strong growth curve. Toyota alone is likely to almost double exports in the next year or so. “The training is continuous and geared towards developing all the participants in the automotive industry to improve their standards and set the benchmark for quality control,” Paul Stokes, operations manager for Rennies Ships Agency/K-Line told FTW.