The Port of Beira is experiencing a notable surge in import and export volumes, affirming its pivotal role in regional trade. This growth is attributed to the increasing utilisation of the Beira corridor for Copperbelt solutions and the emergence of lithium exports from Zimbabwe. Armand Eksteen, general manager of J&J Transport, a key player in the region, says the company is gearing up to meet these escalating demands, enhancing its capabilities and landside logistics to ensure efficient cargo handling."We have observed a rise in import and export volumes," he told Freight News. "This increase is in line with the fact that the Port of Beira serves as the shortest land route to the hinterlands. We anticipate a notable uptick in fertiliser volumes for the upcoming season, and we're witnessing the swift emergence of lithium from Zimbabwe as a major export c om mod it y."He went on to mention that the company had undertaken significant expansion and adapted its capacity due to the escalating volumes. These initiatives include substantial investment in a new f leet of vehicles. "We now boast an extensive f leet comprising over 1 600 vehicles, providing us with the critical mass necessary to support exporters with substantial lithium volumes. We are able to offer a complete end-to-end supply chain solution, including utilising our sister companies’ warehousing facilities. This assurance gives our clients peace of mind, knowing that their cargo is handled professionally end to end."According to Eksteen, staying ahead of demand is crucial, especially in countries like Mozambique. "As industry trends evolve, we are well-prepared to adapt to our clients' needs. Our commitment to key policies and continued investments will further expand our range of value-added services in the future."He emphasised that their investment in infrastructure extended beyond Mozambique and encompassed several countries, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). "These investments aim to ensure that our clients can expand their businesses in sync with our capacity and specialised knowledge of the region."Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of their extensive shunting f leet, which facilitates the seamless cargo movement between the port and various bonded warehouses in Beira. In addition, their long-haul cross-border f leets cater to existing and new clients across different value chains."There's a discernible shift towards diversifying logistics capabilities to adopt a multi-corridor approach," he explained. "Having multi-corridor abilities enables our clients to transport cargo to multiple major regional ports while partnering with a single specialist transporter. This multi-corridor approach significantly reduces the client's risk when moving cargo throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It's about delivering hassle-free, cost-efficient, safe and transparent transport solutions across multiple countries."There are a few challenges all transporters face and one of them is the continued use of e-seals, which has had a significant negative impact on the overall turnaround and transport efficiency of transit cargo in Mozambique due to inefficiencies in the e-seal process. The government has legislated to terminate e-seals, however this is yet to be seen. This would aid free cargo f lows and ensure faster turnaround time and further efficiencies, from which clients would benefit.He said Beira had also experienced a noticeable rise in reefer and cold storage solution enquiries. These developments and solutions are set to reinforce the Port of Beira's status as the preferred export corridor for citrus and avocado volumes from the hinterlands. "Shipping lines that dock at the Port of Beira benefit from some of the shortest transit times to the Middle East. As a key transporter on the Beira Corridor, we aim to align import and export volumes, thereby contributing to the overall enhancement of logistics efficiency within the region," he said.
