Value-added services at the centre of major retail award

The industrial and commercial might of Gauteng needs to be matched with seafreight services of equal muscle, according to Rhett van Zyl, MD of CMA CGM Shipping Agencies. “With the volumes that move in and out of the province on a global basis,” he told FTW, “shipping lines have to be able to offer worldwide networks of services if they intend to make a serious impact in the marketplace.” And he is confident that the agency’s principal, CMA CGM, fits this bill – it is currently the world’s third largest container shipping group and ranked number one in France. “We operate a fleet of 370 vessels,” Van Zyl added, “serving over 400 ports around the world. In 2008, we carried more than 9-million TEUs, and had a presence on all continents and in 150 countries.” Service quality is also not a question, according to Van Zyl, who pointed out that the line was recently honoured with the 2008-2009 “Ocean Carrier of the Year award” by the giant US retail chain, Walmart. “According to Walmart,” he said, “CMA CGM received the award based on its ability and willingness to provide efficient value added services and offer flexibility when needed. “This high performance service was achieved thanks to the excellent co-ordination between CMA CGM’s worldwide agencies and the retailer’s head office, which together were able to come up with tailor-made solutions even in this difficult economic climate.” Although trade conditions in Gauteng are currently ham-strung by the global economic crisis, Van Zyl described the Gauteng-Durban route as “well subscribed”. “In Gauteng,” he added, “we are still getting good, steady and loyal support via Durban. CMA CGM/Delmas have also just launched a service from the Far East to Mozambique and we will also be targeting the Johannesburg market for this service. We believe if we can sort out rail issues, Maputo offers an excellent alternative to Durban.” The line is also constantly investigating new services and doing viability studies to determine whether new routes will be opened in and out of SA. And, although he has just taken over the helm of CMA-CGM Agencies in SA, Van Zyl feels that the line has to keep plans for future expansion firmly on the front burner, as the recession will not last for ever.