‘Weekly frequency from all main Chinese ports’

Keeping pace with changing market trends is part and parcel of any logistics operator’s forward-planning strategy. And for independent groupage operator CFR Freight, a proactive approach has ensured that direct services keep pace with changing customer needs. “Germany and Europe in general continue to be our strong traditional markets,” says managing director Martin Keck. “We offer a weekly frequency to and from all the main ports, covering the entire continent. “From China we now offer nine direct services – some of them twice a week,” says director Peter Schmidt-Loffler. And new services are always on the planning boards. The company has seen volumes continue to grow – with a 10% increase in imports and exports during the first half of the year. “We’re currently doing the same volumes out of the East as we are from Europe.” And Schmidt-Loffler believes the next big market could be Brazil. “They have the Olympics and the Soccer World Cup coming, which translate into a lot of cargo moving to Brazil – and we’ll be there to serve the growing volumes.” In terms of exports, Africa continues to offer growth potential, although the stronger rand has inhibited growth. “In sub Saharan Africa we have the advantage of proximity, but in any other market we are competing globally with products from China and quality from Europe. Our strong currency puts exports under pressure,” says Keck CFR offers direct services to East and West Africa calling at Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Angola, Ghana and Nigeria. Key to the success of any global logistics provider is its international network. “For us the Worldwide Alliance is working extremely well,” says Schmidt-Loffler. It brings together key groupage operators from around the world, providing a vehicle for the sharing of resources while maintaining individual identities.