Access to heavy-haul technology remains a challenge in SA logistics

Moving abnormal and heavy-weight cargo in South Africa can be a tricky business, according to Junaid Mohamed, general manager at freight forwarding specialist Pro- Logistics Forwarding, since one of the key challenges for the industry is that it does not always have access to the latest technology. “South Africa is a developing economy,” Mohamed said. “So, technologically we lag behind countries like Europe when it comes to equipment we use to unload these cargoes from the ships and then move them to site anywhere in South Africa.” He notes that the technology goes hand in hand with specialist technicians who can handle the technology. “We see amazing technological advances in equipment used in European ports for abnormal cargo. There are some spectacular things out there. South Africa needs more of that, including the abnormal specialists with the technology to assist our industry,” he said. “We will follow, that goes without saying. Over time we will see more of the overseas technology entering our market.” He is tentatively excited at the prospect of winning a tender to attend to the logistics of moving a Siemens transformer to an Eskom site in Rustenburg because he will then have the opportunity to work with Eskom-owned Rotek and Roshcon’s 16-axle heavy-haul beam trailer. “As cargo goes, this one will be highly abnormal,” Mohamed said. “So, we plan to use the beam trailer, which is state of the art equipment, a very expensive item, and Rotek owns the largest one in South Africa,” Mohamed said. He envisions the transport of the 232-ton transformer to Rustenburg via the beam trailer, which will see the transformer suspended in mid-air during the entire transit. The transformer’s accessories, clocking in at 138 tons, will also be transported to the site. The logistics costs for the project are estimated at around R6 million. Mohamed admits that the South African market is not completely without technological advances to assist the oversized cargo industry. However, having access to Rotek’s beam trailer in a logistics project like the Siemens transformer, one clearly enhances efficiency, and that is something South Africa does not have enough of as yet. INSERT We see amazing technological advances in equipment used in European ports for abnormal cargo. South Africa needs more of that. – Junaid Mohamed