Cross-Border - MCLI

FREIGHT & TRADING WEEKLY – SPECIAL feature JANUARY 2008Cross-Border6-point checklistWhat you need to knowZimbabwe 'bakkie runners'– clogging up the systemCustoms disparities –How even are the playing fields?Bureaucratic bottlenecks –an administrative curse?

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CROSS BORDER JANUARY 2008 FREIGHT & TRADING WEEKLYPublisher NOW MEDIAPhone (011) 327-4062Fax (011) 327 4094E-mail carmell@nowmedia.co.zaWeb www.cargoinfo.co.zaAddress Now Media Centre32 Fricker RoadIllovo Boulevard,Illovo, Johannesburg.PO Box 55251, Northlands,2116, South Africa.EditorJoy OrlekConsulting Editor Alan PeatJournalist Mark Jackson-MossAdvertising Carmel Levinrad(Manager)Yolande LangenhovenClaire PopperwellJodi HaighManaging Editor David MarshCorrespondentsDURBAN Terry HutsonTel: (031) 466 1683CAPE TOWN Ray SmutsTel: (021) 434 1636PORT ELIZABETH Ed RichardsonTel: (041) 582 3750SWAZILAND James Halljhall@realnet.co.szAdvertisingCo-ordinator Tracie BarnettProduction Darren SandrasLayout & design Tersia ChippsCirculation subs@nowmedia.co.zaPrinted by JUKA Printing (Pty) LtdAnnualsubscriptions RSA – R425.00 (full price)R340.00 (annual debit order)Foreign on application.FTW2445Regional border overviewNamibia...................................................................................2Beit Bridge...............................................................................4Maputo.....................................................................................6Swaziland.................................................................................8Lesotho.....................................................................................9Bribery and corruption‘It’s endemic’...........................................................................5‘No incentive if you do your homework’....................... 10NewsCross-border specialist expands into intermodalmanagement‘Bakkie runners’ clog up Beit Bridge................................ 13Maersk restructures West Africa service....................... 17Project cargo heavyweight sets up Jo’burg office....... 18High level lobby battles bureaucratic bottlenecks..... 20Cover photo: Mark Jackson-MossSHIPHAPPENSLeading supply chain management partner to the ceramics industry.CONTACT 021 418 1650 OR VISIT WWW.SACD.CO.ZAFTW1109SD

JANUARY 2008 CROSS BORDERStreamlined border clearance demands buy-in from all stakeholders– and inadequate infrastructure, poorly trained staff and incorrectdocumentation are some of challenges that need to be addressed.Key players provide their insights…NamibiaTHE WALVIS Bay Corridor Group has beenaggressively marketing its route benefits withsignificant success.Business development officer Agnetha Moutonoutliness the details.Trans Kalahari and Mamuno (Namibia andBotswana) – 06h00 - 24h00Lobatse and Skilpadshek (Botswana and SouthAfrica) – 06h00 - 24h00• If customs and transport documentsare completed and submitted successfully,there should be no delays.It takes up to 30 minutes for customsclearance at the borders which results in a2-day transit time via the Port of Walvis Bayto Gauteng on the Trans Kalahari Corridorover a distance of 1900km.• Weighbridge discrepancies at Mamuno andPioneer Gate border posts need to be addressed, asdoes the issue of a one stop border post.Widening of the border gate at Mamuno borderis critical to facilitate the movement of cargo andthe collection of revenue on overload penalties andadmission of guilt charges.• At a meeting of key stakeholders – Customs,roads department, weighbridge operators, policeand the TKC Secretariat in collaboration with theOffice of the High Commissioner of Botswana toNamibia – key issues were discussed.Resolutions agreed at the meeting were:construction of a computerised weighbridge atPioneer Gate; a 24-hour solution for the collectionof penalty fees at the border; the widening of theMamuno border post entrance to handle abnormalcargo loads; and the long-term creation of a onestopborder post.No reported incidents.Safety and security are critical andthe WBCG has just launched a four yearprogramme in collaboration with SIDA tofocus on identifying and implementingmeasures that could provide the basis formanaging risk along the Walvis Bay Corridors.Furthermore, the Port of Walvis Bay hasmaximum security measures and proceduresin place and has a record of zero pilferage.The installation of a closed circuit televisionsystem and new electronic card access systemis evidence of the port’s constant drive toimprove port security.In March last year a full-time programme co-ordinator was appointed to facilitate process developmenton the Trans Kalahari Corridor (TKC).This followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Botswana, Namibia and SouthAfrica in 2003 which focused on the establishment of a Trans Kalahari Corridor Management Committee(TKCMC).The TKCMC drives the developmental process of the TKC which links the Port of Walvis Bay withBotswana and Gauteng.Initiatives that address road safety and aids issues are also in place.The Safe Trade and Transport Corridors Programme aims to improve road safety and transport alongthe Trans Kalahari and Trans Caprivi Corridors and help regional authorities to develop safe, sustainableand secure corridors.An HIV/AIDS Help Desk provides support and service on HIV/AIDS issues.10 YEARS CELEBRATIONGrowth withoutservice compromiseFTW3848JohannesburgTel: 011 571-0600Fax: 011 970-3638PretoriaTel: 012 665-1141Fax: 012 665-4555Cape TownTel: 021 505-9300Fax: 021 535-5215DurbanTel: 031 459-5000Fax: 031 461-1282Port ElizabethTel: 041 484-2480Fax: 041 484-2487East LondonTel: 043 742-2216Fax: 043 742-2666email: info@sebenza.co.za www.sebenza.co.za Customer Careline 0800 20 1600LondonTel: +44 1753 68-7093Fax:+44 1753 68-5368

Composite JANUARY 2008 CROSS BORDERBeit BridgeCustoms staff and documentary queries prevent smCOMMERCIAL OPERATIONS at Beit Bridge getthe thumbs-up from Brian Kalshoven of LinkedLogistics, one of the ‘veteran’ operators at thebusy border post.06:00 - 22:00 each day, by which time 99%of the day’s clearances have been processed andthe trucks released.The only documentary delays are on declarations on which queries have been raised and then it’ssometimes difficult to achieve resolution when shifts have changed and the new shift will not makedecisions on queries from the previous shift.Pointing out that the query has been raised on behalf of the department and that any member ofCustoms should therefore be able to deal with it has little effect.Gate pass stops and random checks by the Anti-Smuggling Team at the exit gates have alsocaused delays because problems which may have been resolved previously have to be resolved againin order to achieve final release.The issue of SADC Origin Certificates on export goods is also a perennial issue. There are delayswhile these are resolved as there is no point in exporting the vehicles to Zimbabwe until thecertificates are all in order. If SADC rebates are not available, with the high duties and taxes inZimbabwe 8337_Lombard it becomes fragile adPTH¤ economically 11/15/07 unviable. 11:17 AM Page 1C M Y CM MY CY CMY KAs a general rule, unless there arequeries or problems, a vehicle whicharrives before midday will leave on thatday.Pre-clearing of imports works welland “paperless” export clearing for thoseagencies which make use of the facilitiesexpedites the traffic movements.The biggest challenge with regard to theagencies which operate at this border post isthe lack of continuity in dealing with queries.Requests for the problem to be addressedhave produced no resolution as it seems thatqueries are logged by individuals who lock theirsystems with a personal security passwordwhen they go off shift. This means that no-oneelse can open their files and take the matterover. How this aspect can be resolved hasbeen put to Customs management, but nosatisfactory replies have been forthcoming.Stories sometimes circulate at theborder post and occasionally an officeris suspended, but the truth can only berevealed by the department. Much of theinformation is hearsay.Transworld RoadfreightDistributionto Namibia(Pty) LtdBonded Roadfreight to Namibia3 Day transit • Consolidations • Full loadsJOHANNESBURG CAPE TOWN WINDHOEKTel: (011) 974 5673 Tel: (021) 905 9449 Tel: (09264) (61) 371 160Fax: (011) 974 5674 Fax: (021) 905 9455 Fax: (09264) (61) 371 165email: gordon@transworldroadfreight.comFTW3302Crossborder TransportZimbabwe • Zambia • Malawi • Botswana •LesothoSwaziland • Angola • Tanzania • DRC (Lubumbashi)Clearing & Forwarding • Air, Sea & Road FreightProcurement Services • Imports & ExportsFTW1335SDFTW3591(b)F l y w a y sInter-forwarders ccTel: (+2711) 828 5585Fax: (+2711) 828 2178email: cargo@flywaysinter.comwww.flywaysinter.com

CROSS BORDER JANUARY 2008 ooth cargo flowSmuggling of cigarettes continues to be a problem, although it’sfar less frequent than during the early part of last year.Transporters were tearing their hair out at their vehicles beingimpounded for transgressions by their drivers who were then eitherreleased or absconded. This left companies with massive penalties tobe paid or facing the impoundment of the vehicle.The N1 between Musina and the border post now has two lanes allthe way with a “yellow lane” on those stretches where there are nodemarcated overtaking areas.Work continues on the vehicle checking complex a short distancefrom the border which is expected to be similar to Mantsole, with a pullofffor commercial vehicles so that mass and document checking cantake place. While the completion date is yet to be finalised, the facility isexpected to be up and running by mid-year at the latest.‘Bribery is endemic’BRIBERY AND corruption are clearly here to stay – andit’s unlikely to change until the salaries of border officialsimprove.That’s the consensus among the many operators whospoke to FTW on condition of anonymity.According to one source, Zimbabwean customs officialsat Beit Bridge are paid as little as R150 in certain instances.“They might not ask openly for bribes, but we pay plenty,particularly if an urgent consignment is involved,” said oneoperator.While the majority of under-the-table payments involveincoming traffic, it applies in both directions according toanother source.“If the customs official inspects your file and tells youthat it’s not the original, you know you should have slippedhim two hundred bucks which would also help to avoidinspection of the cargo,” he said.“Often a truck may be released from the South Africanside but when it gets to the Zimbabwean side they insist oninspecting it and will fine you because they maintain youhave misdeclared the goods. It’s all a way of making extramoney – it’s not an open book but everyone knows that it’shappening.”Much of it is politically motivated, he added. “Some timeago officials at Beit Bridge went on an extreme go slowwhere vehicles took up to seven days to get through.”www.hoegh.comAFTER MORE than 40 years in the vehicle transportation business, Höegh Autoliners isrepresented all over the world – at sea and on land, on all oceans and all continents.Boks OsloOur global route network meets the needs of most clients. But not all. Which is why HöeghAutoliners is unwavering in its devotion to flexibility. Rest assured that we will be prepared to gothe extra mile to solve whatever problem you may have in getting your cargo to its destination.When we say global, we mean global.WORLDWIDE RO/RO THE FLEXIBLE WAYFTW0862SD

CROSS BORDER JANUARY 2008 ■ Specialist Over Border Division within SDV SA■ Weekly departures to all Southern African countriesThe key challenge is the limited infrastructure andmovement space for passengers and freight trucks,which is not separated.The border post was not designed to carry thevolumes of cargo and passenger traffic currentlymoving through.The second challenge is one of human resources.There is a lack of consistency in the processingof documentation in the two customs departments,and the speed of processing seems to depend on thecapacity of staff on shift at the time.The SAD500 is in use on the South African sideof the border, but not yet on the Mozambique side,which still means two sets of documentation.The MCLI believes there is a critical need forcustoms documentation and processes to beharmonised even before the implementation of the24-hour joint one stop border post.A third challenge relates to driver passports – truckdrivers are required to stop at the frontier to havetheir passports processed by the two immigrationdepartments. This adds to their border crossing timewith the trucks parked at the frontier further cloggingup the system and making it unsafe for passengers.Trust is good, control is betterBrenda Horne...The MCLI believesthere is a criticalneed for customsdocumentationand processes tobe harmonisedeven before theimplementation of the24-hour joint one stopborder post.“It’s a very clear indication that our one stop border post where passengersand freight will be separated is crucial,” says the MCLI.■ Dedicated Express Service for Urgent site deliveries■ Full Door to Door Service with full security guarantee■ Full loads & consolidation service■ Full bonded facility for in Transit Cargo360° means 360 opportunitiesto create a custom-made solution.Thanks to its integrated networkon the 5 continents, the SDVInternational Logistics Group createscustom-made solutions for transport andlogistics.SDV International Logistics,your logistics partner.Johannesburg - 24, Covora Street - Jet Park - Boksburg Tel.: +27 11 398 5000360° means 360 opportunitiesto create a custom-made solution.nomadfreight musina (pty) ltdThanks to its integrated networkon the 5 continents, the SDVInternational Logistics Group createscustom-made solutions for transport andlogistics.SDV International Logistics,your logistics partner.Anna Marie van der Laarse:Tel: +27 (0) 15 530 0081Cell: +27 84 432 2423JHB: +27 (0) 11 461 1300DBN: +27 (0) 31 301 0392Maputo: +25 82 131 0561Johannesburg - 24, Covora Street - Jet Park - Boksburg Tel.: +27 11 398 5000E-mail: rord@nomadsa.co.za www.nomadsa.co.zaFTW3751

JANUARY 2008 CROSS BORDERSwazilandJAMES HALLSWAZILAND ROADtransporters are looking backwistfully at the recent holidayseason, not because of thebreak in routine they enjoyedbut because of the lengthenedhours of operations at keyborder posts with South Africa– Lavumisa to the south enroute to Durban, Oshoek tothe West for Gauteng, andMatsamo and Mananga inthe north for Nelspruit andMpumalanga.With the end of the holidayseason comes a return tonormal and (by the account ofthe Swazi business community,which wants 24/7 operations)extremely limited hours: from07:00 to 22:00.One SA official, formerMpumalanga provincialgovernment head Dr MathewsPhosa, told Swazi businesspeople late in 2007 that SouthAfrica was “not yet ready” forextended border post hours.He cited costs as a factor.Counting its own cost inlost productivity are Swaziimporters of consumer goodsand industrial inputs from SA.But at least one productivitydeterrent – the time trucksspend in a queue at borderposts – is to be reduced withthe recent introduction ofan electronic customs dutysystem. Oshoek was the firstto be connected, with the otherborder posts soon to be on line.Trucks outside the Oshoek borderpost... as busy as it generally gets“Corruption has been a problem at customs,” said Customsand Excise official Justin Dlamini. “The finance ministryestimates only a fifth of customs duties due to government areactually collected.”Collusion between corrupt customs workers and fraudulentimporters is blamed, but losses are expected to be curtailed bythe computerised data collection system.“If only something could be done about Sars,” said themanager of a Matsapha-based road transport firm. Swazishippers hope this year to have addressed their grievances withcustoms operations on the SA side of the border, where they saymost delays, costs and problems occur.Truck queues at Swaziland’s borders are “annoying, butnegligible compared to other countries,” one shipper, whoseemed to speak for the consensus of opinion, told FTW.Swazi Rail setto grow transitbusinessJAMES HALLMORE CONTAINERISED business andtransit traffic will steer growth at SwazilandRailway in the year ahead. StephensenNgubane, director of operations andmarketing for the landlocked country’s 44year-old rail line, told FTW:“Containerisedtraffic will be a growth business for us. Weare making plans to expand our capacityto handle containers, and this is key to our2008 strategy.”Continuing growth of the manufacturingsector in the country ensures containerisedgrowth as inputs are brought in fromDurban, turned into finished goods, and sentback to port for overseas buyers.Swaziland Railway’s Inland ContainerDepot, or so-called Dry Port, is strategicallylocated in the heart of the MatsaphaIndustrial Estate, which was constructedabout the time the railway began operationsin the mid 1960s. The two have growntogether, but the railway is also lookingcross border for revenue opportunities.“We have been in discussions withTransnet Freight Rail to get more transitbusiness through the country,” saidNgubane.This would largely be minerals sentthrough Swaziland north to south, fromKomatipoort en route to Durban. ThePhalaborwa mines would provide themineral shipments, which will make up anew revenue source for the company.When asked what he was lookingforward to in the new year, SwazilandRailway CEO Gideon Mahlalela said: “2008is a leap year, so there will be an extra dayto work to better the rail system.” Theresponse says a lot for the company’s workethic.FTW3343windowsS O F T W A R EIMPORTS & EXPORTS● Customs Clearing Software● Customs EDI Compliant● Internet-based updates and EDI system● Complete Tariff book with easy to use search system● Integrated invoicing system● Documents can be saved and emailed in any format requiredcelebrating 20 years of service to the industryTel: (011) 452-3090 • Fax: (011) 452 7033 • e-mail: chrissie@shipshape.co.za • www.shipshape.co.za

CROSS BORDER JANUARY 2008 LesothoHillary Woelk of Kayhil Cargo comments on someof the service issues at Lesotho’s borders.The Maseru Bridge and Maputsoe border are 24 hours.The rest are normally till 20:00 or 22:00.At Maseru there are delays largely due to managementproblems and a shortage of staff.A truck load can take up to six hours to clear on the SAside. On the Lesotho side at Maseru the main problem iswith the computers. The system is inadequate, they don’thave enough manpower, and IT staff are not competent athead office. It can take up to six hours to clear a shipment.Commitment from both Sars and LRA to improve theirsystems and create a one- stop border. This has beendiscussed for years but never implemented, and there’s beenno progress in addressing these challenges.Letters of complaint have gone unanswered.The politicians are too busy looking after their ownwelfare. The civil servants at head office are not concernedand the people on the ground make little effort to providea quality service. The result is that nobody cares and servicecan only be described as third world.Region’s economies are 'not free'ED RICHARDSONECONOMIC GROWTH in sub-SaharanAfrica is being stifled by red tape andpolitical instability, according to the 2008Heritage Foundation Index of EconomicFreedom.The report says “Sub-Saharan Africais well known as the poorest and mostviolent region of the world.“It also seems to be the one regionthat has been slipping further behindover the past half-century rather thanadvancing in terms of popular materialwell-being. Civil war flares sporadicallyfrom the Horn of Africa to the AtlanticCoast”.Sub-Saharan Africa is ranked lastin seven of the 10 economic freedomcategories and performs “especially poorly”in terms of property rights, freedom fromcorruption, and business freedom.“AIDS is a continuing burden.“Mass unemployment is common.“Average GDP per capita is only$1 984—the lowest of any regionand barely one-tenth of the averageincomes in Europe and the Americas.Unemployment hovers at 10.5%, andthe 15% average inflation rate is twiceas high as that of the next worst region,”according to the report.It adds: “Unlike regions that have adiverse range of free-market economies,in sub-Saharan Africa there are onlydistinctions among less free economies”.A majority of nations are ranked“mostly unfree,” with the balance splitevenly between“moderately free” and“repressed.”Africa’s most free countries areMauritius (18), Botswana (18) and Uganda(52). South Africa is ranked 57 globally.Mauritius is the second most improvedcountry in the 2008 index, followingMongolia.Globally, the top ten countries are,in order, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ireland,Australia, the United States, New Zealand,Canada, Chile, Switzerland and the UnitedKingdom.The 2008 Index of Economic Freedomcovers 162 countries across 10 specificfreedoms such as trade freedom, businessfreedom, investment freedom, andproperty rights.NOW IN KOMATIPOORTYour Partner inSouth & East AfricaShips AgencyClearing & ForwardingLogisticsWarehousingMOZAMBIQUEPhone: +258 21315153 Fax: +258 21306098Email: agency.maputo@sturrock-mozambique.comEmail: shipping@ct.sturrock.co.zawww.sturrockshipping.co.zaFTW1307SALDANHA CAPE TOWN MOSSEL BAY PORT ELIZABETH EAST LONDON DURBAN RICHARDS BAYJOHANNESBURG KOMATIPOORT MAPUTO BEIRA NACALA DAR ES SALAAM TANGA MOMBASA

MSCMediterranean Shipping CoSea • Rail • RoadSeamless solutionsGRAPHITEPre-clearance jacks upBeit Bridge border efficienMARK JACKSON-MOSSPRE-CLEARANCES have reducedclearance times for northboundtraffic through Beit Bridge, althoughproduction delays due to power outagesin Zimbabwe have resulted in majordiscrepancies in turnaround times.“The border efficiency fornorthbound traffic has definitelyimproved with Zimra permitting thepre-clearance of documentation priorto arrival of vehicles at the border,”explains Tony Bouwer, Musina depotmanager of Professional Consolidators.Both importers and exporters havebeen encouraged to ensure thatall duties are in place and that allnecessary documentation and clearinginstructions are submitted to theborder timeously to avoid clearancedelays.Currently vehicles are inspected,examined and offloaded by Sars andthen again by Zimra. This duplicationof work by customs and agents incurscosts and delays that ultimately trickledown to the customer. “A commoncustoms union or even a one-stopborder at BBR (Beit Bridge) will be adefinite advantage,” says Bouwer.Beit Bridge is a 24 hour border postthat is open 365 days a year. Bouwerfeels clearing agents need to take theirresponsibilities seriously to reducedelays for all using the border.Transporters should also educatetheir drivers on border procedures, andit is up to the drivers themselves toensure they are present throughout theclearing process. “Often vehicles arecleared and drivers are AWOL, leavingvehicles unattended and blocking theparking area or access roads.”Professional Consolidators is lookingStreamlined movements reducebribery and corruptionMARK JACKSON-MOSSMORE STREAMLINED cargomovement through the variousMozambique borders as a result ofthe scrapping of trade duties hasseen a reduction in bribery andcorruption.“There is no need for anytransporter to offer a bribe or‘incentive’ if one’s homeworkis done,” says Danie Parsons ofSturrock Focus Clearing based inMozambique.Proactive border officials haveimproved border efficiency althoughhe believes training could enhancethe overall service levels at theborders. “It is a pleasure to dealwith Mozambique Customs as theofficers are well trained with a paramilitarybackground which makesthem disciplined and very eager toassist.”Electronic clearing has reducedwaiting time from 4 – 6 hourson the SA side with 1 – 2 hoursthe maximum, although throughMozambique outbound clearancesremain a bit on the slow side.“It’s a different process,” explainsParsons. One needs to complete thememorandum manually, after whichCustoms takes it and feeds it into asystem. The files are then checkedfor previous transgressions, whichcan take up to five hours.”While physical limitations onspace and the condition of theinfrastructure at the borders remaina concern, Parsons feels the regionis progressing towards one-stopborder posts and a harmonisedsystem of clearances.A subsidiary of Mediterranean Shipping Co.Durban Head Office:54 Winder Street, Durban, 4001P.O. Box 10614, Marine Parade, 4056Tel: (031) 360-7811Fax: (031) 332-9291E-mail: logistics@clog.co.zaFWCLEARING & FORMUSINATel: +27 15 530 0390info@fwclearing.co.zJOHANNESBURGTel: +27 11 835 1350julie@fwclearing.co.zFTW1212sd

cy5040Beit Bridge ClearancesNov/Dec 2007NorthboundSouthboundYour all-in-oneBotswanApartner3020100Same Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day +Source: Professional Consolidatorsto focus its energies on the boomingZambian market by expanding itsconsolidation and express cargo serviceinto the region. “We will then beable to concentrate on southboundmovements to improve turnaround onthe route,” says Pieter Buys, marketingmanager for the company.● Warehousing● Consolidations● Clearing & Forwarding● General Cargo● Mining Consolidation/Transport● Fuel Distribution● AbnormalsTransportHoldingsLimitedHolistic Logistic SolutionsPlot 14407, Gaborone West Industrial, BotswanaTel: (+267) 3924846 Fax: (+267) 3924743 Email: alee@thl.co.bwRepresentingGreen light..noneed to offer abribe if you'vedone yourhomeworkWARDINGFax: +27 15 530 0381aFax: +27 11 835 1351aFREIGHT WORLDFrom Anywhere to Anywhere we deliver goods.FREIGHT WORLD (PVT) LTD100 Kelvin Road South Graniteside,P.O. Box UA 272Tel: +263 47 58766/7/8/9, 756 645/6BEITBRIDGETel: + 263 86 22295/6E-mail: fworld@freightworld.co.zwFTW3911An associate of Imperial HoldingsBotswanaFTW3860

12 JANUARY 2008 CROSS BORDER‘Inland port’ takes the strain offDurban transport congestionALAN PEATRECOGNISING THE heavy transport congestion inDurban, Silic Logistics has become the first logisticsmanagement company to open an “inland port” –reducing the number of vehicles accessing the city,and offering an out-of-town, inter-modal storageand distribution hub for cargo traffic in-and-out ofthe port city.This has seen Silic, which has evolved into fulllogistics from its beginnings as a cross-bordertransport brokerage company, signing up a five-yeardeal, and acquiring a 14 000m 2 warehousing anddistribution complex in Cato Ridge – inland of themetropolitan area.“We have big plans for Cato Ridge,” saidfinancial director, Nick Fountain, “targeting amonthly volume of 30 000-t of freight transitingthe depot.”It is going to include a basic shift from rubberto rail.“For incoming cargo we’ll have it road hauledinto the Cato Ridge facility, transiting thewarehouse and being moved directly to the ship byrail,” Fountain told FTW.“This will comply with the Transnet NationalPort Authority (TNPA) appeal to reduce thenumber of trucks coming into the city ofDurban, and offer a considerably quickerJammed up...inland portwill offerout-of-townintermodalstorage anddistributionhubturnaround for road haulage operators.”Silic Logistics also offers a reverse procedure foroutgoing cargo from the port city.“Our function starts at the ship’s side as thecargo is unloaded,” said marketing director AngusDustan, “from where we leasehold transport andwarehouse the freight before its distribution to itsfinal destination.”Logistics management, according to operationsdirector Warren Sievwright, is the cornerstone ofsupply and distribution, and has historically beena point of concern for any organisation with highservice standards.“With this in mind,” he said, “Silic Logisticswas established on the principle of identifyingthe errors in the supply chain and – through themanagement team’s many years of experience –we have established that the four pillars of qualitylogistics management are integrity, reliability,communication and security.“Through 24-hour, 7-days-a-weekcommunication channels with our suppliers, weare well-placed to deal with any event that shouldarise with our client’s goods – identifying the likelyshortfalls before the situation can materialise, andthen establishing the bridges over these gaps.”Your Gatewayto AfricaEnd-to-end global logisticssolutions specialising inautomotive importsfrom the EastRoadfreight to/fromZIMBABWE• Full Loads • Part loads• ConsolidationsYour peace of mind – our concernAssociated offices • Harare • Beitbridge • MutareTel: +27 11 221 3300Fax: +27 11 334 5567Email: mark@leoship.co.zaFTW3517FTW3703Tel: (031) 304 5147Fax: (031) 305 8032Email: preggie@version.co.zawww.sunmarine.co.zaDON’T SETTLEFOR LESSAIR, ROAD AND SEA FREIGHTINTO SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAFTW3633Your freight partner for Normal,Abnormal and Bonded Cargocontact Florence Ross +27 82 324 1859Tel: +27 11 979 1232/1245/1252Fax: +27 11 979 1255Email: florence@amrlogistics.co.za

JANUARY 2008 13‘Bakkie runners’ clog upBeit Bridge borderFW Clearing & Forwarding to open Jo’burg and DurbanMARK JACKSON-MOSSTHE CURRENT political situation inZimbabwe has given rise to a breed oftransporter that simply clogs up thecross-border system for legitimate,licensed operators, according to someindustry commentators.These ‘runners’ simply operateabakkie that crosses the border, loadsup foodstuffs at a cash-and-carry, thengoes back to Zim to sell off the goods.“They have a tendency to useunorthodox methods to influencemovement of documents withcustoms authorities,” explains HassanSuleman of FW Clearing, a newlyformedjoint venture subsidiary ofFreight World Zimbabwe and NexorInternational, a Johannesburgbasedcommodity trading companyspecialising in procurement and projectsolutions. “It is up to the authorities ofeach government to intervene beforethey become a perpetual problem atthe borders.”Freight World has been operatingat Beit Bridge for the past 20 years.October 2007 saw the opening of aMessina office of FW Forwarding andClearing offering complete borderclearance services for traffic to andfrom the SADC countries and SouthAfrican ports.“Currently our Messina office ismanned by three staff with state-ofthe-art technology,” says Suleman.Clearance times have been reduced tofour hours for both import and exportclearances provided that all the correctdocuments are in order and that thereare no delays with customs. We reallytook off towards the end of last year,handling all commercial cargo as wellas transit cargo to and from Malawi,Democratic Republic of Congo andZambia, offering both bonded cargoand commercial vehicle guarantees.”With business booming, FWClearing & Forwarding will soon openoffices in Johannesburg and Durban toexpand its service.Road Transport toAngola and DRCEXPRESSCARGOWhile you are soundasleep Express Cargois moving your freightinto AfricaOvernight service toSwaziland & Botswana(Mozambique and Lesothocoming soon)• 24 tons toabnormalloads• Projects• Door-to-door• Warehousing& DistributionCASTLE TRANSPORTtel: +27 11 907 3914fax: +27 11 907-3913cell: 082 909 0707email: castletrp@mweb.co.zaFTW3573Swaziland+268 518 4288Botswana+267 392 8262FTW3871Johannesburg+27 11 397 6856Durban+27 31 569 3091/2

14 JANUARY 2008 CROSS BORDERSA operators call for evenplaying fieldsMARK JACKSON-MOSSROAD TRANSPORTERS into Namibia are competingon an uneven playing field as Namibia’s recentlyintroducedmass/distance charge piles on an extraR1000 for SA operators.“The SA authorities should do something of asimilar nature to even the playing field for Namibiantransporters,” says Gordon Jay of Namibia specialistsTransworld Road Freight. “A trip from the Namibianborder to Windhoek and back sets us back aboutR1000. All that Namibian transporters pay is R181toll fees, which we also have to pay.”Transworld exports from Johannesburg viaBotswana through Skilpadshek and from Cape Townthrough Vioolsdrift, with variable efficiency andsurprise changes in regulations sending spannersflying. “We had a hitch at Pioneer Gate where anew system was implemented without informingstakeholders and we had major delays there for a fewweeks.”With an average waiting period of six hours at theborder posts on the Johannesburg route and two onthe Cape Town route, Jay feels a common tariff anddocumentation system is necessary, but this is still along way off. “The way I see it, the exporting countries’documentation should be accepted at all border postswithout any changes. Customs also talks about thepaperless system. This is only for themselves as wehave to supply them with everything. Utopia forSwazi operator expands African footprintJAMES HALL2007 SAW an explosive expansion of overnightdelivery routes throughout Southern Africa for theMatsapha, Swaziland-based Express Cargo. Foryears the firm specialised in shipping solutions forSwaziland, and this past year saw it extending toLesotho and Botswana. More destinations, includingMozambique, are planned for this year.Express Cargo’s facility in Johannesburg is a hubthat made possible the overnight delivery service toGaborone.“Cargo comes through our Durban office. Wecan facilitate both LCL (less than container load)and Express Cargo FCLs (full container loads) eitherin bond to Botswana or duty paid in Durban. Wedo the same at Jo’burg airport for air cargo: bondto Botswana or duty paid. In Botswana, we have abonded warehouse facility,” Express Cargo directorMark Svenningsen told FTW.Gordon Jay... Namibiancharge pileson R1000 forSA operators.them and major expenses for us.”In the year ahead, Jay feels the interest rate hikeswill tighten things up again, with tough times aheadfor many over-border operations.Speaking at his Matsapha office at the start ofthe year, Svenningsen described the past monthsas demanding but exhilarating. An operation hasbeen established in Cape Town (Cross Border Cargo),while the Botswana service has been contractedto transport agricultural and industrial equipment,clothing and fast moving consumer goods likecookware. Trucks leave nightly from Johannesburgand deliver the next day. From Durban to Gaboronethe trip takes two days.DESTINATION:AFRICAJOHANNESBURG: +27-11 392-1397LUSAKA: +260-21-1 287-113DBN: +27-31 914-0270Ftw3870DEPARTURE:FREIGHTWORXTel: +27 11 979 2979 Fax: +27 11 979 3947E-mail: raj@freightworx.co.zaSOUTH AFRICA ● ZAMBIATRANSIT TIME 5 DAYS JHB TO LUSAKA VIA LIVINGSTONE!!● CHEAPEST RATES● FLEET OF 65 OWN TRUCKS● DURBAN / JHB TO ZAMBIA DIRECT● CONSOLIDATION / PART LOADS / FULL LOADS● AIRFREIGHT ZAMBIA● CONTAINER HANDLING AND MT RETURN TODBN/JHB FROM ZAMBIA● BONDED CARGO● ABNORMALS● HAZARDOUS CARGO● 1.5M, 3M, 6M CONTAINERS● NO HANDLING COSTS● SPECIALIST PACKING& CRATINGForcompletepeaceof mindcontact theprofessionalsWorldwide imports and exportsOverborder road & air services to:• Botswana • D.R.C. • Lesotho• Malawi • Mozambique• Namibia• Swaziland• Zambia • ZimbabweFull door-to-door serviceFTW0994SDceltic@celtic.co.zaor +27 11 392 1397FTW3363Tel: (011) 823-4806/27/31 Fax: (011) 823-4955E-Mail: alwyn@kingfisher-freight.co.zawww.kingfisher-freight.co.zaSA MEMBER

Zambia changes the rules –and stretches delaysMARK JACKSON-MOSSPRIVATE ENTERPRISE should put its weight behind aninitiative to restore ailing infrastructure and facilitiesfor Zambia-bound cargo to maximise the growthboom in the region.This is the view of Adrian Friend, managingdirector of Zambia specialists Celtic Freight. “Privateenterprise should be allowed to fast-track the redtape involved in any sort of developments. Borderdelays are an industry-wide operational problem, butlately the efficiency at the border is getting worse.”The company’s trucks enter Zambia viaJOY ORLEKTHE BEIT Bridge border post appears to be themain exception to the generally fluid flow of trafficthrough SA’s borders, in the view of AMR Logistics’Florence Ross.“That’s where we find the biggest delays,” saysRoss, “largely due to a new regulation enforced latelast year.“In the past you could clear a vehiclesimultaneously on both sides of the border. TheCROSS BORDER JANUARY 2008 15Livingstone and Kazangula through Botswana, but, asFriend explains, Zambia has changed the rules.“A report order is no longer allowed to enabletrucks to pass through Kazangula and be clearedand processed in Livingstone.” This has meant thatclearing must now take place at the point of entry.This has pushed the average waiting or clearancetime at the border to 3 to 4 days or worse.Zambia remains a growing economic force inthe SADC region and Friend is optimistic for theyear ahead. “We must use any problems as steppingstones as we look to grow the business and improveour services for our clients.”Recent ruling slows down Beitbridge traffic flowZimbabwean customs authorities however changedthings late last year and now you have to clearthe vehicle out of South Africa and physically takethe customs release across the border to theirZimbabwean counterparts who will only then startclearing the cargo.”This means that instead of an average standingtime of two days, cargo now takes 4-5 days to clear.Go-slows have caused additional problems, saysRoss, and these generally involve the Zimbabweanrather than SA customs officials.Adrian Friend... 'Privateenterpriseshould beallowed tofast-track thered tape.'AMR regularly transits several border posts– Beitbridge, Komatipoort, Swaziland, Lesotho,Botswana and Namibia – and has few complaintsabout the general efficiency."From time to time there are problems on theBotswana route when one of the ferries is out ofcommission and that causes delays. But for the restof the time it's fairly a smooth flow."With Mozambique having now joined the SADC,traffic flow on that route has also speeded up," sheadded.“Professionalism, reliability, competitiveness,adaptability - MACS gives us all we need”** Quote by MACS clientMACS Customer Support TeamJohannesburgCindy Kate Lindy MarkCape Town: 021 405 3400 • Durban 031 307 1584 • Johannesburg 011 340 0499 • Richards Bay 035 797 9161 • Walvis Bay 064 201 2911macship@macship.com • www.macship.comFor top service and efficiency, ship with MACSFTW0970SD

16 JANUARY 2008 CROSS BORDERCross-border specialist expandsinto intermodal managementALAN PEATAS A three-man partnership on the prowl, themanagement team of Durban-based Silic Logisticshas developed the company from a small-scalecross-border transport brokerage into a full-scaleintermodal transport management operation,according to marketing director, Angus Dustan.It is now able to offer its clients turnkeysolutions in four operational divisions – domesticand cross-border transport, warehousing,international freight and live-event and projectlogistics.“Our service commitment to our clients isbased directly on their requirements,” Dustan said,“where we endeavour to think outside the box.“By assessing their current systems we aim toprovide them with cost-effective and hands-freesolutions, allowing the respective company tocontinue the business of doing business.”In its four-year expansion phase, Silic Logisticsfirst added live-event logistics to its originalcross-border brokerage function, according tooperations director, Warren Sievwright.“For these events we handle the entirelogistics programme,” he said, “organising up to100 movements of equipment – including soundand lighting – to the respective venue in timeTurnkey solutions... directors NickFountain, WarrenSievwright andAngus Dustan.for the event.”Headlines amongst its projects include the2001 World Summit for sustainable development;46664; the 2005 Moscow Circus five-city tour andthe Avril Lavigne SA tour; and the 2006 RobbieWilliams national tour.The company is also busy developing its otherlogistics services, and acquiring extensive premisesin and around Durban.“We now have warehousing and containerhandlingcapabilities in the busiest breakbulk portin Africa, which – together with what we call a“virtual fleet” of over 500 vehicles all over subequatorialAfrica – allows us the flexibility ourclients require,” said Dustan, “and to operate onshort-notice at competitive prices.”The Maydon Wharf premises in Durban –acquired a year ago – offers 4 000m 2 of open yard;a 69 000-litre fuel depot (trading diesel to thetransport industry); and a 24-metre weighbridge,with both axle and gross vehicle mass (GVM)weighing capabilities.”The management team is currently innegotiations for another 12 000m 2 facility lessthan two kilometres from the port – specificallyfor the unpack/repack of specialised containers.DAILY CONSOLIDATIONS TO• BOTSWANA • SWAZILAND• LESOTHO1000m 2 warehouse in Johannesburg● Daily Overnight express● Clearing & Forwarding● From documents to 34ton loads● BFN - JNB - DURJohannesburg:Tel: +27 11 908 9699Fax: +27 11 864 9783email: kayhilfreight@telkomsa.netMaseru:Tel: +266 223 24791Fax: +266 223 24564email: hilary@kayhil.co.lsFast and efficient consolidators to LesothoFTW3318FTW3577600m 2 warehouse in Botswana with bonded facilitiesDoor to door deliveriesHandling of all documentation and border proceduresRemovals in bondNorth into AfricaUnlimited Assistanceemail: kitty@botcon.co.zaJohannesburg | Tel: +27 11 974 0342 | Fax: +27 11 974 0363Gaborone | Tel: +267 390 8236 | Fax: +267 390 0493www.botswanaconsolidators.co.zaFTW3920FTW3920FREIGHT & TRADING WEEKLY – SPECIAL feature MARCH 2007WesternCapeEconomic futureHeaded for transformation?Ship repair sectorMore can be achievedPort productivitySigns of turnaroundTerminal extensionNPA looks at alternativesFeatureWestern CapePublication date:28 March 2008Booking deadline:15 February 2008To promote your services contactCARMEL LEVINRADon Tel:+27 11 214 7303

CROSS BORDER JANUARY 2008 17Maersk restructures West Africa serviceMAERSK LINE will introduce three new gearlessvessels to its recently restructured Far East – WestAfrica service.January 28 saw the launch of a direct, weekly callin Abidjan, Ivory Coast on its Far East - West Africa 2(FEW2) service, one of two direct options linking theFar East and West Africa.The new rotation will include Walvis Bay callingPort Kelang (Malaysia), Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia),Walvis Bay (Namibia), Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire), Apapa(Nigeria), Walvis Bay (Namibia).The Maersk Inverness will initiate the newservice, calling Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia) onJanuary 28 and Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire) on February20. Sister vessels Maersk Izmir and MaerskInnoshima will gradually be slotted into the service.The FEW1 service will no longer call WalvisBay but will include Nansha (Pearl River Delta,China), Hong Kong, Tanjung Pelepas (Malaysia),Lome (Togo), Tema (Ghana), Cotonou (Benin), Apapa(Nigeria), and Pointe Noire (Congo) in its portrotation.First vessel on the new FEW1 service, SantaAlexandra, called Nansha on January 23.These direct services are complemented by theline’s comprehensive transhipment options for FarEast – West Africa traffic via Algeciras in Spain.Customs disparities frustrate Botswana operators‘Nothing common about the Customs Union’MARK JACKSON-MOSSCARGO VOLUMES into Botswana are surgingyear-on-year as mining projects stimulate andgrow the economy, but disparities betweenCustoms in South Africa and Botswanacontinue to frustrate trade into the importorientatedcountry.The SADC region supposedly fallsunder a blanket common customs union,but as Anthony Lee of Transport HoldingsLimited explains, this common customsblanket has many holes.“There is almost nothing common aboutthe common customs union,” says Lee. “Thetwo countries still have different tariff codes,with varying interpretations only slowingdown the clearances. Requirements fordocumentation vary from official to official letalone from country to country.”Lee echoes the views of a numberof transporters who have called for thestandardisation of weighing at weighbridges inBotswana, as some weigh individualaxles while others will weigh the axleload, and give a different weight, incurringpenalties.There have been dramatic improvements inclearance times since the introduction of EDI,with the Martin’s Drift border crossing intoBotswana reduced from 1 day to 2-4 hours,according to Lee. “We are hoping to continueour organic growth and further enhance theefficiency at Martin’s Drift when we get ouron-site clearing office set up in the comingmonths.”OVERBORDER CONSOLIDATIONSFTW3590● Roadfreight into Southernand Central Africa● Full loads● Hazardous cargo● Confirmed daily tracking● Dedicated express loads10 YEARS and still going strongZIMBABWEZAMBIAMALAWIMOZAMBIQUEBOTSWANANAMIBIALESOTHOSWAZILANDTel: +27 11 396 4300 Fax: +27 11 396 4707Email: brendon@bpfreight.co.za Web: www.bpfreight.co.zaFTW3839

18 JANUARY 2008 CROSS BORDERProject cargo specialist sets upJo’burg branch officeTapping into growing business in South and Southern AfricaJOY ORLEKADDING IMPETUS to its focus on growingthe South African market, Beluga Shipping hasopened its tenth international branch office inJohannesburg.The Bremen-based specialist in tailor-madetransportation solutions for project and heavy liftcargo has long identified South Africa as a marketof strong focus.A budget surplus in 2007 and growing publicinvestment in a number of mega projects, manyrelated to the upcoming Soccer World Cup in2010, have created an attractive climate forinternational investors, says Beluga founder andCEO Niels Stolberg.He believes the local office will be well placedto take advantage of these growing opportunities.“Building materials, steel products, miningequipment, generators, turbines and componentsfor the 2010 FIFA World Cup are among theproject and heavy lift cargoes currently beingcarried on Beluga vessels calling in South Africa,”says Stolberg. “And there is plenty more tocome.”Chartering expert Björn Nilsson, who is jointlyresponsible for Beluga Maritime Projects of SouthAfrica, is bullish about sustained growth in theregion.“From our local base we can now offer SouthAfrican shippers the same Beluga service packageas our international customers, catering for themovement of complex cargo that does not fitinto a standard container.”Beluga Shipping was established in 1995 byAn innovative towing kite system will reduce bunker consumption and the emission of greenhouse gasesby 10-20%Stolberg, a master mariner and industrial engineerfor maritime traffic. Today the company employsmore than 350 shore-based employees and 1300seafarers.The Beluga fleet comprises 54 multipurposeheavy lift project carriers, all with adjustabletweendecks and powerful on-board crane gearwith lifting capacities of up to 700 tonnes intandem usage.A new addition, the Beluga SkySails, is theworld’s first modern merchant vessel co-poweredby wind energy.An innovative towing kite system will reducebunker consumption and the emission ofgreenhouse gases by 10-20%.A new generation of 20 000 tonne deadweightvessels with on-board cranes capable of lifting upto 1400 tonnes is under construction and due tobe delivered within the next few months. This willincrease the fleet to 75 units by 2011.Combined road bond system could bring massive savings‘Take the best of Comesa and SADC’MARK JACKSON-MOSSWHILE intra-Africa trade has made great stridesin simplifying road bonds through the adoption ofdistinctive bond guarantees by the various regionaltrading blocs, a single guarantee is needed for themajor corridors in Africa.Traditionally, all cross-border traffic is subjectedto a system of putting up ‘Road Bonds’ in eachcountry traversed. “Goods are moving ‘in bond’(i.e. the duty and taxes have not been paid) andin the event the goods are diverted for ‘home’consumption in the country being transited, thebond/guarantee can be relied on to make goodany loss to the fiscus,” explains Rina Belcher ofinsurance major, Lombard Insurance.“Reliance is normally placed on the guaranteesprovided by clearing agents in each country,”says Belcher. Goods often travel on three orfour different bonds/guarantees – depending onthe number of countries that must be transited– before reaching their final destination. This simplydrives up the costs of transporting in Africa, andhas recently prompted various trading blocs tostreamline their internal trade procedures.Comesa (the Common Market for Eastern andSouthern Africa) has implemented the RegionalCustoms Transit Guarantee/Bond Scheme (RCTG)while SADC (Southern African DevelopmentCommunity) has been working on the RegionalCustoms Transit Bond Chain Guarantee.“Cost savings could be ashigh as 75%”While the aims of each system are essentiallythe same, the process and procedures differ greatly.This presents problems on the busy corridors suchas the North/South route (DRC/RSA). “The northernstates will have the Comesa scheme while thesouthern ones adopt the SADC scheme. Add tothis countries like Zambia that belongs to botheconomic blocs and the problems are self-evident,”says Belcher.“The Comesa scheme is cumbersome andthe guarantee requirements are considered toolarge,” adds Belcher. Though the SADC system ismore realistic concerning the guarantee values,the expectations of the bond holder are arduousat best. Belcher feels that “taking the best fromboth and adding this to already common practicesbetween guarantors could see a simple streamlinedsystem that would benefit all concerned.”The cost-saving element is difficult to quantifyin a combined system, but Belcher believes thatcost savings will largely depend on the amount ofactivity normally taking place and the risk attachedto the type of commodity being moved.While savings could be as high as 75%, thisrepresents only part of the benefit – the mostsignificant factor must be the faster turn-aroundtimes for transport owners.

Trend to smaller loads more oftenMARK JACKSON-MOSSCROSS BORDER JANUARY 2008 19“TALK IS good because it shows that things arehappening,” says Alwyn Nel of Kingfisher FreightServices. “But until the plans are promulgated and acommon customs union is implemented across theregion, talk is just talk.”Fifteen years in the game, Kingfisher hasexpanded its focus from being exclusive roadfreightZimbabwe into fully intermodal operations coveringAfrica, the US, North West Continent and the UK.“The problem with Zimbabwe is that Customswill bring out a new law, not tell anyone, and justcollect the penalties – even if your trucks are intransit.”Despite this, Nel remains positive, describing thecompany’s future as buoyant. “It’s how you managethe rising (external) costs and still keep your focusand your customers happy that will make or breakyou in this game.”Offering regular consolidations and full loadcoverage across Southern Africa, Kingfisher runsdaily express services into the BLNS (Botswana,Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland) countries. “We havefound that demand has called for the handlingof smaller loads more regularly compared to thebigger but more irregular consignments of previousyears,” says Nel. “The EDI clearances are runningat 100% efficiency, but a shortage of vehicles hashardened freight rates and that will challenge theindustry this coming year.”Alwyn Nel … Shortage of vehicles has hardened freight rateMARK JACKSON-MOSSLOGISTICS SPECIALISTS INTO THE SADC REGIONWAREHOUSINGCONSOLIDATIONSFTW3888CONTAINER HANDLINGBOND FACILITIESCLEARINGFTW1160SDFULL LOADSFTW3744DOOR-TO-DOOR DELIVERIESHAZARDOUS CARGOwww.profcon.co.zaJohannesburg: +27 11 828 1393 Durban +27 31 468 2020Lusaka: +260 21 1 240 733

20 JANUARY 2008 CROSS BORDERHigh level lobby battles bureaucratic bottlenecksOne-stop border at Chirundu to be launched in JuneThe waiting game... Congestion isdue largely to bureaucracy in theform of the enormous amountsof administration required, ashortage of staff and budgetaryconstraintsALAN PEATALTHOUGH ROAD transport now moves about80% of the cross-border freight trafficbetween SA and neighbouring countries inthe Southern African DevelopmentCommunity (SADC) andComesa (Common Marketfor East and SouthernAfrica) region, borderpost delays are throttlingindustry efficiency.“Inefficiency, bothat an infrastructural andbureaucratic level, is beginningto manifest itself withgreater frequency,”said Mike Scott, CargoCarriers trading directorand chairman of theFederation of East andSouthern African RoadTransport Associations(Fesarta).Battling this problem ispart of Fesarta’s portfolio,where it is working closelywith the SADC countries,USAID and the WorldBank Sub-Saharan AfricanTransport Policy Programme(SSATP), to improve road efficienciesrelated to intra-Africa trade, according toexecutive officer, Barney Curtis.The chief cause of congestion is duelargely to bureaucracy, he told FTW, with borders a majorcause of delays.“Beit Bridge and Chirundu are the busiest and worst fordelays,” said Curtis, “where consolidated loads fare worst,with delays of 2-3 days, while tankers and refrigeratedvehicles (reefers) fare best with delays usually less thana day. Kazungula border is now also causing significantdelays.“But the pilot one-stop border post at Chirundu isscheduled to be launched in June this year – and othersare testing the waters. This major step forward in regionaltrade facilitation should cut the transit time throughChirundu by 40%.”Similar thinking needs to be adopted at Beit Bridge,described as the main culprit, and as a “bureaucraticbottleneck”.This border crossing links the SADC's harbour-rich SAwith Zimbabwe, northern Mozambique, Zambia, Malawiand the DRC to the north – and SA is a main supply pointfor goods heading north. In a day, approximately 250commercial vehicles pass through this border post. (Itwas up to 400 vehicles per day when the Zimbabweaneconomy was in full swing).“The chief cause of congestion is due largely tobureaucracy,” Scott said, “in the form of the enormousamounts of administration required, a shortage of staffand budgetary constraints.“The bottlenecks also put pressure on inadequatefacilities for hosting drivers – who are sometimes delayedfor up to three days waiting for final clearances.”Fesarta’s thinking is that, in addition to the variousexisting initiatives to improve transit times, an attempt toresolve this problem should include creating a one-stopborder post at Beit Bridge soon after the goal is achievedat Chirundu.The private sector is also encouraged to make more useof electronic technology and to pre-clear.“The possibility exists for pre-clearance on both sidesof the border,” said Scott, “meaning the goods can becleared through customs and duties paid (if necessary),before the vehicle even arrives at the border.”If these changes were implemented, he added, itcould improve SA's logistical operations and make a verytempting offer to international clients. “As it stands,”he said, “activities related to logistics account for some15.2% of SA's annual gross domestic product (GDP) – soefficient logistics is crucial.”Advertisers' IndexAMR Logistics...............................................................................................................12Botswana Consolidators............................................................................................16Beluga Shipping......................................................................................................... IFCBP Freight .....................................................................................................................17Castle Transport .........................................................................................................13Celtic Freight & Logistics ........................................................................................14Compu-Clearing ........................................................................................................IBCExpress Cargo Swaziland ..........................................................................................13Flyways-InterForwarders........................................................................................... 4Freightworx .................................................................................................................14Fritz Kroon Transport .................................................................................................. 6Höegh Autoliners......................................................................................................... 5Kay Hil Freight ........................................................................................................... 16Kingfisher Freight .......................................................................................................14Leo Shipping ............................................................................................................... 12Lombard Insurance Group......................................................................................... 4M & B Transport Services ....................................................................................... 19MACS Maritime Carrier Shipping............................................................................15Maersk Namibia......................................................................................................OBCMSC Logistics ...............................................................................................................10MSC Shipping .............................................................................................................IBCFW Clearing & Forwarding...................................................................................... 10Nomad Freight ............................................................................................................. 7Professional Consolidators ..................................................................................... 19SACD Freight ................................................................................................................ 1SDV South Africa.......................................................................................................... 7Sebenza Forwarding & Shipping ............................................................................. 2Shipshape Software .....................................................................................................8Silic Logistics ................................................................................................................19Sturrock Shipping ...................................................................................................... 9Sun Marine Shipping..................................................................................................12Swaziland Railway ......................................................................................................17Swift Container Logistics .......................................................................................... 3Transport Holdings Limited .................................................................................. 11Transworld Roadfreight ..............................................................................................4

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