A carefully selected wider team of associates bring specific technical know-how to projects to ensure that our customers benefit from the best-in-class advice and solutions. As consultants we take an independent non-aligned approach in giving servicing customers.
Projects tendered today may be executed months and years later. Among other things we exercise extra care in :
Accuracy of Budget or Forecast Prices
Freight rates (land, air, sea) are volatile and subject to vagaries of supply and demand. As consultants we deep dive into historical trends, look at what could cause future price fluctuations and present prices that are likely to “hold good” during project execution.
Final Prices
The progress from budget to final prices could happen very quickly. To the extent possible we work with the same partners who supported the budget stage. That way we ensure that our partners are already familiar with the project and therefore their interest and enthusiasm levels are high.
Multiple Suppliers/ Partners
We know by experience that not service provider is good in everything. To ensure competitiveness and right support we work with more than one service provider/partner. In-short we find horses for courses.
The Best Route Recommendation
When evaluate options, we get in-to customers shoes.
As shown in the example given below, lets consider your project is in Kanengo, Malwai. Kanengo can be serviced through three gateway ports, Beira Mozambique (shortest and most economical route), Dar es salaam Tanzania and Durban South Africa (longest route).
| Gateways Ports | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destination Kanengo, Malawi | Port, country | Beira, Mozambique | Dar es Salam Tanzania | Durban South Africa |
| Distance to destination | 1062 KM | 1500 KM | 2600 KM | |
| Driving time to destination | 18 hours | 25 hours | 30 hours | |
| Price form origin to destination | Most economical | Expensive | Expensive | |
| Shipping Services from origin | Limited | Multiple | Multiple | |
| Port congestion | More likely | Unlikely | Unlikely | |
| Port infrastructure for the job | Good, limited | Good | Good | |
| Truck availability | Stable | Stable | Stable | |
| Ease of transit clearance at port | Stable | Stable | Stable | |
| Ease of clearance at land borders | Stable | Stable | Stable | |
| Safety and security | Good | Good | Good | |
In the above example, Mozambique is the most economical price wise. However, shipping options are limited. This could result in project missing delivery deadlines unless shipping schedule is advanced to match shipping space availability.
In providing multiple options we enable customer to take informed decisions depending on customers internal requirements.
Technical Feasibility
Cargo characteristics versus status of infrastructure available to handle the cargo (i.e. route surveys, bridge, gantry specifications – lifting capacity limitations, suitability of roads, site access, port and yard equipment)
Environmental Factors
Here weather and natural hazard impact on the project. For example certain roads may be flooded during rains, river barges may not operate during the drought and strong winds may cause lifting unsafe.
Safety and Security
Safety of people and cargo through-out the transport chain is paramount. Initially we take an experience based view towards areas such as (not limited to) safety culture of the people involved in the operation, risk of theft and damage etc.,. If project requires a technical assessment, we work with expert 3rd parties.
Supplier Credentials for the Job at Hand
From a logistical standpoint, the success of a project depends on the capabilities of the people involved at every stage. In projects, practical experience matters. We exercise a systematic due diligence audit process to establish supplier credentials – where gaps are found, necessary support is provided.
Timelines & Serviceability
We establish best, worse and average case scenarios for each critical stage of the project. This is supported by a risk & remedy index.