The project cargo and
breakbulk market has
experienced a marked
downward trend across the
borders of South Africa this year.
According to Lampie Grobler,
operations manager for Frits
Kroon Transport, while the
general outlook for the industry
is relatively good, his company
has seen a definite decrease in
cargo destined for cross-border
haul in recent times.
There are many possible
reasons for this, including many
cargo owners opting to use ports
outside South Africa.
“Of course there are still a lot
of opportunities for people that
are willing to go the extra mile,”
said Grobler. “But at present
the only way to grow volumes
is through service delivery and
a transparent relationship with
one’s clients.”
And as more and more
transporters try their hands at the
highly specialised project cargo
industry, Grobler says remaining
viable from a price point of view
is also becoming increasingly
challenging.
“It is about offering
competitive rates while at the
same time having to try and
cut down on expenses without
pricing yourself out of the
game.”
Over the years Frits Kroon
Transport has established itself
in the project cargo arena, having
handled countless loads of up to
100 tons, specialising in local and
cross-border lowbed services.
“When it comes to project
cargo,” Grobler said, “there
must be a hands-on approach.
You also have to be able to
deal with any events along the
way that can result in massive
delays in the cargo arriving at its
destination. Experience makes
the difference.”
The company is currently
involved in moving massive mine
shells from the manufacturing
site in Vereeniging in Gauteng to
the Ngezi mine in Zimbabwe.
The first shell transported
recently weighed in at 78 tons
while the two heads, transported
separately, weighed 50 tons each.
CAPTION
Mill shells en route from Vereeniging to the Ngezi mine in Zimbabwe … first shell
weighed 78 tons.
