Neutral consolidation company CFR Freight is looking at opening new global and regional trade lanes from Cape Town. “Many retail companies operate in and out of Cape Town and there are lots of growth opportunities, especially given that the SA economy is expected to pick up,” said Tracie Pelser, CFR Cape Town seafreight branch manager. Airfreight GM Stephen Bishop agrees with the growth prospects, pointing out that the airfreight team recently relocated its operations back to the Cape Town International Airport to be able to better service air cargo clients. “Because of Cape Town’s geographical location, we are still close enough to leverage off the infrastructure of the ocean freight business and the ZacPak container freight station teams in Epping,” he said. MD of ZacPak, Willie Nel, is equally upbeat about growth prospects pointing out that having seen increased volumes in both export and import numbers last year, growth for this year was “well within reach” for the Cape Town depot. “To leverage the new growth expectations, the CFR group is enhancing its sales force and we are strengthening our partnerships with our clients and service providers,” said Pelser, noting that the seafreight division had seen a fast pace of growth out of the Far East in particular. “We are the only operator offering a direct service from Shenzhen, South China and a Xiamen route is also on the cards,” she said.
