World Cup generates ‘powerful’ contract

World Cup cargo bounty has extended way beyond traditional soccer merchandise and consumables. Safmarine and Damco were successful in securing a shipment of approximately 300 generators and associated equipment to supply power during the event. The containers, provided by Aggreko, will be re-exported within six months. Says Safmarine regional head for KwaZulu Natal and Swaziland, Roy Ramdiyal: “Aggreko, who provided power generation units to the Summer Olympics in Beijing, the Winter Olympics in Vancouver as well as the recent Confederations Cup in South Africa, was appointed by the LOC to supply power generators for the broadcasting facilities at the International Broadcast Centre and at all of the stadiums for the World Cup. “Safmarine and Damco were asked by Aggreko to assist them in delivering the required generators to the various locations. It’s been a rather complex undertaking as the containers and self-contained units have come into Durban from all over the world (by both ocean and air freight).” Not only has soccer fever been good for Safmarine’s business, it’s also been used to strengthen the relationships between Safmariners, customers and suppliers in Kwazulu Natal through regular, friendly games. Ramdiyal says the first match of 2010 was played in April this year when a team comprising Safmarine, Maersk Line and Damco in Kwa-Zulu Natal pitted their skills against SACD Freight.