Moving oversized project cargo in Africa is undoubtedly a challenging task, but Alpha Shipping Agency has once again proved its mettle by successfully handling a massive logistics project under trying conditions. Recently, the company achieved a significant feat by transporting a 58-metric-ton abnormal steel structure from the Port of Durban through Mpulungu, all the way to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).Selva Pillay, the freight and line manager at Alpha Shipping Agency, highlighted the complexity of the operation, explaining that the project required a well-thought-out multimodal transport and logistics solution to ensure the safe and timely delivery of the oversized cargo. This even included a ferry trip for the cargo across the mighty Congo River to reach the final destination.As the cargo made its way through Zambia, it faced an unexpected challenge: heavy rainfall between Sakania and Mokambo, resulting in an entirely washed-out roadway. This left approximately 20 kilometres of muddy ground for the truck driver to navigate, adding another layer of difficulty to the project. To overcome this obstacle, the company enlisted the help of loaders and graders to provide additional assistance in extricating the vehicle from the mud, incurring some extra costs.Despite the unforeseen hurdles, the team remained committed to the mission. The entire process took approximately two weeks before the cargo finally reached the Mokambo border post. However, the challenges didn't end there. To proceed further, arrangements were made for the Zambia Electricity Commission (Zesco) to lift power lines en route, clearing the path for the cargo to continue its journey.Pillay emphasised that the success of this ambitious project was made possible through their hands-on and attentive approach, which spanned a period of approximately five months. Such intricate attention to detail and dedication allowed the team to fulfil its ultimate goal of delivering the cargo safely to its destination, much to the satisfaction of the customer.The movement of this oversized steel structure underscores the need for logistics service providers in Africa to have the capability to think outside the box and devise innovative solutions to overcome obstacles.“Moving out-of-gauge and heavy project cargo is not easy, especially in Africa where infrastructure hurdles are very real,” said Pillay.Even in South Africa, renowned for relatively good transport infrastructure, the situation is becoming increasingly pressing as road and rail infrastructure is rapidly deteriorating.However, the difficulties don't end with infrastructure concerns. The transportation of cargoes often takes place through hazardous areas, which has become a cause for alarm due to recent arson attacks on trucks. These incidents not only raise safety concerns but also have a catastrophic impact on the movement of project cargo.
