Page 37 - Logistics News - September - October 2021

C O MPANY NE W S

Airside facility assures speed and safety for vulnerable cargo

CRIME STATISTICS for the fi rst quarter of facility is particularly suited for the secure handling of
2021/2022 confi rm a steep 107.6 percent increase high-risk cargo, including electronics, pharmaceuticals,
in truck hijackings, while cash-in-transit heists currency and other high-value items. Rhenus Logistics
have accelerated by a massive 142.1 percent, acquired the facility to create an end-to-end solution
according to SAPS. Th is has added another for vulnerable air imports and exports, enabling it to
challenge to the logistics of vulnerable and draw cargo directly from the airside and control the
high-value goods, en route as well as on arrival. Martin Taylor, Risk full handling process from the moment of landing. Th e
Th e need for secure airside facilities with quick Manager at Rhenus Rhenus team is onsite and handles the process in its
turnaround times is becoming increasingly Logistics South Africa. entirety.
important.
“Our facility includes material handling equipment,
“Th ese numbers bear out our concern that the safety of cargo racking and bulk storage, as well as a category 5 vault on site. We
in transit is one of the biggest challenges for the logistics industry provide the highest level of security with 24/7 camera surveillance,
in South Africa,” says Martin Taylor, Risk Manager at Rhenus armed guards, as well as advanced access and perimeter security
Logistics South Africa. that is completed with a generator,” continues Taylor.

Despite the fact that the international airports in South “We are well-positioned at ORTIA as our facility enables direct
Africa are deemed National Key Points, the brazen theft that access, bypassing third-party handling, to eliminate costly delays
occurs after airline touch down has rendered such airports as and risky exposure. Th is means faster transit times from ORTIA
happy hunting grounds for syndicates. to our warehouses, improved transparency, better communication
and lower risk, due to reduced waiting times. From arrival at the
With the Rhenus airside facility at OR Tambo International airport to goods loading and out the gate, we only need two hours,
Airport (ORTIA), these risks are largely eliminated, as the cutting down the transit time to a minimum,” explains Taylor. •

WLP welcomes Nigeria as strategic hub in West Africa

Nigeria has joined the World Logistics Passport (WLP) as a hub, network across the African continent and
with the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in beyond.”
Nigeria (CRFFN) as the coordinating partner.
Nigeria has joined the WLP alongside
Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa, with a vibrant and other African nations including South
diverse industrial base and rapidly expanding regional and global Africa, Senegal, Morocco, Kenya, Ethiopia,
trade interests. In 2019, product exports totaled $63.8 billion, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique,
with trade accounting for 25 percent of GDP. Burkina Faso and Guinea.

With access to the WLP network, Nigerian traders will have HE Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation in
the opportunity to enhance the connectivity and effi ciency of Nigeria, says, “Joining the WLP is about bolstering global trade
their cargo operations. Th is, in turn, will open up trade routes, opportunities for Nigerian businesses and accelerating Nigeria’s
allowing for faster, cheaper access to new markets particularly in already fast-paced growth. Th e WLP will help deliver this by
Asia, Latin America and across Africa. providing benefi ts to businesses such as priority handling and
faster clearance, helping to reduce supply chain costs and increase
HE Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and trade volumes.”
CEO of DP World, says, “We view West Africa as a long-term
growth market, with Nigeria spearheading growth in the region. Th e continued expansion of the WLP across Africa will help
Th e WLP helps deliver economic growth and create jobs by to deliver on the vision of the African Continental Free Trade L O GI S T I CS NEWS
boosting trade, principally by making a country’s products more Agreement by reducing end-to-end costs across the logistics chain
competitive through more effi cient supply chains. For Nigerian in Africa, boosting intra-regional trade and opening up competitive
traders, this means discovering new opportunities through our access to new international markets for African companies. •

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