Vehicle turnaround time one of the biggest challenges

THE TURNAROUND time of vehicles poses one of the biggest challenges to Kodav Logistics, says managing director Corné Pretorius. Viable return loads to Johannesburg are a problem that affects the company’s Johannesburg loading schedules. Kodav often ends up sending trucks to Beira due to the lack of cargo to Johannesburg, and it then takes a few trips to get back onto the Johannesburg route again. The company specialises in a complete logistic solution for its clients by sea, road or rail. “We offer clients various options that take away the headache of having to deal with four or five different companies in order to move their cargo. We handle the entire chain from loading the cargo at the production facility, up to final delivery to the customer.” The company handles mainly exports from South Africa to sub-Saharan Africa. The main routings are Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique via South Africa or the port of Beira, Mozambique. They also provide a consulting service to clients who operate their own delivery vehicles in order to optimise that part of the chain, especially with the current high fuel price. The main commodity dealt with by Kodav is fertiliser, but it specialises in steel as well. The company also carries cotton, tobacco, maize and wheat. For larger contracts (over 3 000 mt) they prefer to use rail depending on the destination, but for the rest they have found that road still seems to be the best and most versatile option. Questioned on the economic climate in Zambia at present, Corné commented: “If I may use the South African quote - I think it’s alive with possibility.” This is due to the agriculture and obviously the mining sector which continues to grow. “There are a few challenges that affect not only Zambia, but the entire region and if these can be overcome I think the overall outlook for the future is quite good,” he concluded.