Tag: Air Cargo

  • Comparing Container, Breakbulk, and Air Freight Shipping Methods for Cargo to Africa

    Comparing Container, Breakbulk, and Air Freight Shipping Methods for Cargo to Africa

    Introduction:

    Shipping cargo to Africa presents a unique set of challenges, as the continent features diverse infrastructure, varying customs regulations, and a wide range of logistical requirements. When selecting the most suitable shipping method, businesses must consider cost, transit time, and the goods’ nature. This blog post will delve into the specifics of the container, break-bulk, and air freight shipping methods, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of African cargo transportation.

    Container Shipping



    Container shipping, the most popular method for transporting goods globally, involves loading cargo into large, standardized metal containers, typically measuring 20 or 40 feet in length. These containers are then stacked onto large vessels specially designed to transport them.

    Container Shipping Advantages

    Cost-effective: Container shipping is often more economical than other methods, especially for large goods. The standardization of containers allows for efficient loading and unloading processes, reducing labor costs.

    Security: Goods are securely sealed within the containers, reducing the risk of theft or damage during transit.

    Versatility: Containers can accommodate various types of cargo, including dry goods, refrigerated items, and even vehicles.

    Container Shipping Disadvantages

    Limited accessibility: Not all African ports can handle large container vessels. In such cases, businesses may need to rely on transshipment or use smaller feeder vessels, potentially increasing costs and transit time.

    Infrequent sailings: Some African routes may have less frequent container shipping services, leading to longer waiting times between sailings.

    Breakbulk Shipping



    Breakbulk shipping is a traditional method of transporting cargo that only fits within standard containers. This method involves loading individual pieces or units of cargo directly onto a vessel, often using cranes or other specialized equipment.

    Breakbulk Shipping Advantages

    Flexibility: Breakbulk shipping is ideal for transporting large or irregularly shaped cargo, such as machinery, heavy equipment, or bulk commodities like grain and minerals.

    Customization: Breakbulk vessels can be designed or adapted to accommodate various cargo types, providing tailored solutions for unique shipping requirements.

    Breakbulk Shipping Disadvantages

    Higher costs: Breakbulk shipping often involves more manual labor and specialized equipment, leading to increased costs compared to container shipping.

    Longer transit times: The loading and unloading processes for breakbulk cargo can be more time-consuming, resulting in extended transit times.

    Air Freight



    Air freight is transporting goods via air cargo carriers on dedicated cargo planes or in the cargo hold of commercial passenger flights.

    Air Freight Advantages

    Speed: Air freight is the fastest shipping method available, with transit times, typically ranging from a few hours to a few days, depending on the destination.

    Reliability: Air freight services generally operate on strict schedules, providing greater predictability and reducing the risk of delays.

    Air Freight Disadvantages

    High costs: Air freight is often significantly more expensive than other shipping methods, particularly for heavy or bulky cargo.

    Limited capacity: Air cargo carriers have strict weight and size restrictions, which may only be suitable for some types of cargo.

    Conclusion

    When shipping cargo to Africa, the optimal method depends on factors such as the nature of the goods, budget, and time constraints. Container shipping is a cost-effective solution for most types of cargo, while breakbulk shipping offers flexibility for oversized or irregularly shaped items. Air freight may be the best option for time-sensitive shipments, albeit at a higher cost. Ultimately, businesses must carefully evaluate their specific needs and choose the shipping method that best aligns with their objectives.

  • Appropriate Ways to Send Cargo to Africa and Their Effects On Shipment

    Appropriate Ways to Send Cargo to Africa and Their Effects On Shipment

    Trading between UK and Africa is quite important after Brexit

    Cargo dates back to history, indicating that it was intended for cargo ships, but as time went on and cargo volume increased, shipment now contained all kinds of cargo. It includes land cargo, rail cargo or sea cargo, air cargo or other types of trucks, van, or intermodal container.

    Besides, perishable items are also included in the consignment. Freight is the flow of goods from the previously mentioned routes. It should be clarified here that containers are reusable to reduce load units or cargo, especially by shipping lines and cargo operators.

    Similarly, aircraft ULD boxes are another form of cargo in air cargo. Empty containers during shipment are called a load, while containers filled with cargo are called containerized cargo.

    Air Cargo Sector

    Air flight treats all passengers with extra luggage, which is an efficient and fast mode. As a result, countless companies are engaged in their cargo business with built-in dynamics and modus operandi. Air Cargo to Africa offers the best option for shipping your cargo. Many services such as door to door service, extra luggage, packaging, customs clearance are provided.

    It is important to note here that limited lifetime items, including medicines, are shipped by air cargo, while other things that do not have such restrictions are booked by sea cargo and shipped to destinations far off the coast of Africa.

    The main business in operation is automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. Both governments have taken a firm stance on exploring new frontiers. The UK attaches great importance to expanding trade towards this potential continent, a vital part of the UK economy through imports and exports.

    Therefore active trade relations and logistics on international and domestic trade are of significant importance to both countries. Now as a result of Brexit, the UK is free to trade at its convenience and benefits.

    New policies and legal frameworks are being finalized for the practical business operations of logistics. Accordingly, customs and other departments are being created for the new laws so that the cargo industry can get maximum revenue and increase facilities for the concerned partners.

    Sea cargo for bulk

    In general, by this mode, all goods shipped by air cargo are hefty and unmanageable. To do this, the cargo is first packed in boxes and loaded into a container to be transported to African ports. After completing the formal process from here, the freight will be shipped to the desired destinations booked.

    Both the UK and Africa have good friendly relations between the government and the public level. On the one hand, there were some takeovers in the past, but now there is no such problem and business is relaxed.

    However, the cargo flows through all the countries of the African continent, including western Ethiopia to Mauritania. South Africa is a major trading centre on the African continent.

    Despite these difficulties and limitations, cargo to Africa from UK is growing with price and quantum as demand for much-needed equipment in industrial and manufacturing activities.

    Less infrastructure for freight in Africa

    As in some countries such as Africa, Ethiopia is a vast continent with communities suffering from poverty and lacks freight infrastructure. The condition of access roads and commercial centres in remote areas is a bitter truth in this context, which needs to be improved.

    While the distribution of goods is currently limited to certain areas, this situation can be attributed to the fact that it is difficult to touch other weak points.

    Better infrastructure can reduce cargo rates, which will lead to economic growth in the region. It is not an argument that most African countries lag far behind in improving infrastructure and related components.

  • Kenyan Airports Authority Embraces TIACA Cargo Service Quality Equipment’s for the Betterment

    Kenyan Airports Authority Embraces TIACA Cargo Service Quality Equipment’s for the Betterment

    Kenya is improving its air cargo system amazingly

    Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) plans to embrace Cargo Service Quality apparatus, which is supported by the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA). Before moving towards the news it is critical to think about the TIACA and the administration created by this association, for example, Freight Service Quality apparatus.

    The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) – portrayal of all areas of the air freight inventory network

    Propelled in the mid-1990s, TIACA means to help, advice, and interface organizations and associations of all measurements with another desire of building up an efficient, contemporary, and consolidated air freight industry around the world.

    TIACA attempts to shield each estimate of business, and help to make sense of the approach which influences the entirety of our individuals, giving a binding together voice to the business, working for worldwide models, and raising the profile of air payload.

    TIACA has made this goal to advise both the general population and its participation about the job and significance of air cargo, Kenya Cargo industry improvements, and specialized floats.

    KAA’s point behind receiving the Cargo Service Quality

    KAA says the key point of grasping the CSQ is to characterize a uniform standard for evaluating load administration quality and improve the connection among clients and specialist co-ops.

    The reception of the CSQ is relied upon to additionally stay Kenya’s situation as a coordination’s centre in Sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, individuals will have the option to send load to Africa or freight from Africa to everywhere throughout the world, without experiencing any trouble.

    Load Service Quality (CSQ) apparatus, an upgrade of the air freight inventory network

    TIACA has built up an online Cargo Service Quality (CSQ) instrument to improve conspicuousness and encourage worldwide norms all through the air freight inventory network. This is likewise a stage while in transit to give shippers the capacity to see the nature of administration did by players in the air load production network.

    The TIACA Cargo Quality Council (TCQC) group has been persistently attempting to build up a quality appraisal device that will appropriately record the degree of administration supply paying little heed to the geology, neighbourhood shows, size of the payload terminal, and so on.

    KAA hopes to secure the quality appraisal Service of TIACA

    Kenya Airport Authority (KAA) is probably going to secure the quality appraisal administrations of TIACA inside the main quarter of one year from now, a move which is set to fortify Kenya’s remaining as a provincial centre point for transport and coordination’s.

    KAA, which adapts the progression and upkeep of air terminal foundation, wellbeing and security administrations, says it has been forced to bear the contradicting discernment related to low-quality help at shipment sheds. The authority included that it is banking the new way to deal with streamline activities at the sheds.

    The estimation of administration gave by the Five Transit Sheds under KAA

    There are five travel sheds under KAA‘s administration to be specific Kenya Airfreight Handling, Africa Cargo Handling, Swiss port, Siginon Freight and Trans Global Cargo Centre.

    “KAA will step up and pay for the administration for us to subject the travel sheds and to have the option to see the estimation of the sort of administration they give. When we do that, we will have the option to score dependent on the nature of administration gave,” Michoma said.

    KAA is relied upon to cause an expense of $5,000 (about Sh500, 000) for each travel shed yearly in paying for the administration from TIACA.

  • Cargo to Africa; Reforming Itself through the New Initiatives

    Cargo to Africa; Reforming Itself through the New Initiatives

    Venturing New Horizons to Approach the Distant Corners 

    The increasingly tense situation between two rival countries of China and the US has given rise to ample space for perishable cargo. The African air cargo market has benefitted from it which is the main market of perishable exports.

    It is interesting to know that the African Continent is rapidly transforming itself with the digital transformation by having a substantial increase in infrastructure and liberalism. Resultantly, this has strengthened the Air Cargo to Africa greatly.

    This is also best suited for the Economy of the African countries which are addressing themselves by shedding the old infrastructure and way of working as well.

    How Much Cargo to Africa Contributes? 

    Statistically seen, Africa contributes 1.7% to air cargo. Nonetheless, there is a tremendous growth of African carriers. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) takes it as the fastest growth for the last two years. Furthermore, the capacity is grown up to 17.1% due to healthy trade and investment connections.

    Further to explore it, the President of ICAO Council Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, has warned that Africa could have sustainable development only by having strong air connectivity in Africa. And it is quite obvious, he went on to emphasize that this is only possible by putting in proper and maximum investment.

    How China is Boosting the Cargo to Africa

    China as the strongest emerging economy of the world has benefitted this gap created in the investment and already spent a sufficient amount in the cargo sector. A big plus is the further investment from China in the cargo sector of Africa, is amounting to $60 billion. And by this investment, African countries are strengthening their infrastructure and aircraft.

    This has done a great help to the cargo industry of Africa which can be seen from the efforts rendered by the main African countries of South Africa, Mauritius, Ghana, Nigeria and Ethiopia in improving the cargo facilities and concerned services. The African air cargo is benefitting a lot from it.

    The meagre share of Africa in the see cargo creates a great space for further development in the Cargo to Africa sector. Having the seaports in abundance, Africa is relying greatly on its seaports. It is of great value that one-third of the African countries are landlocked and maritime is the only access to the world market.

    What is being communicated? 

    The African countries like South Africa export diamond and gold to the industrialised countries. It is of the great value that the precious metals are carried in handbags in high security. The meagre share of Africa in world trade is widely debated and the economists argue in this regard that, this lowest share of Africa is due to insufficient income, poor geography, local barriers to international trade and increased transport cost and poor infrastructure.

    The experts hold the strong view that the shipment delivery period matters a lot, the reason being, the increased shipping duration would increase the inventory process cost. For instance, sensitive goods like ornamental plants and flowers and readable material like newspapers would certainly need prompt delivery. And also, the stock in transportation should be by the needed amount.

    Ground Realities and Future Expectations      

    The cargo industry works in associations with different stakeholders or may be termed as commercial organizations which are the main source of freight services. Sure enough, these stakeholders offer a basic and conducive infrastructure for the execution of cargo services for every operation of Cargo Company and without it, the cargo industry means nothing.

    For instance first and foremost organisation with plays a major role in this context is the airports across the world which no doubt, offer the basic and spacious platform for the execution of cargo carriage and deliveries.

    According to the economists, at present Africa is having 3 per cent of the UK goods but history has witnessed many ups and downs in it. It is also to mention here that machinery, precious stones, fruits, vegetables, beverages, base metals and precious stones are imported by the UK from Africa whereas the turbojets, chemicals, and machinery are imported by Africa from the UK.

    On the other hand, Brexit Transit period and its impact on the Cargo to Africa is also of the great importance in the upcoming period. As the period going on in the UK about cargo industry is termed as Brexit Transit Period as the UK has decided to leave the EU in March.

    A great deal of cargo is being operated between the UK and Africa by various modes like sea cargo, air cargo, or intermodal cargo depending upon the availability, choice and budget. It would be crucial to note that air cargo is costlier than sea cargo.

    It is no arguing in highlighting that cultural links, bilateral relations, law systems, finance, and trade are playing the main role in strengthening the healthy relations between the African and the UK. It would be important to mention here that a diaspora of 1.9 million in Africa is playing a vital role in the UK economy.

  • Brexit is not Going to Affect the Trade Relation between the UK and Africa

    Brexit is not Going to Affect the Trade Relation between the UK and Africa

    Reinforcing exchange relations with the world is the most ideal approach to repay the EU exit

    As it is a most discussing issue nowadays connected to the UK relations with the remainder of the world, Brexit is taking to spotlight so many things that are possibly either in support of the country. There are a lot of things going on simultaneously to set up the country for EU exit.

    On one hand, UK is managing with the concern of migrants and on the other side, broad gatherings and game plans are proceeding to move the country towards a sure Brexit with the goal that the individuals can stay safe from the impacts of Britain leaving EU.

    The UK needs to construct a well-disposed, autonomous and direct exchange attach universally to not segregate itself in any circumstance which is yet to come. What’s more, as Africa is a conspicuous landmass in UK exchange, building up a progressively solid connection will be one stage ahead for the approach.

    Help Build Strong Regional Trade

    Probably the most ideal approaches to build trade by sea or air cargo is to build up a solid tie inside the mainland. A steady contention for this activity is that by improving provincial exchange the introduction to different countries and the open doors for further business will increment.

    Thusly, UK organizations can connect with huge unrecognized Africa and give it chances to exceed expectations inside the area as well as universally as a created and business arranged exchanging accessory.

    Presenting new ventures will be in long haul valued for the exchange and the locales. As of now, the UK is contributing to creating African countries; this progression can additionally take tasks higher than ever.

    Characterizing Standards

    There are some exceptionally exacting laws the countries need to submit to when they are an individual from the EU. Being an autonomous state will offer the chance to dismiss those principles, the EU has set and made new ones.

    Yet, this can or can’t be a savvy step as making new laws requires time and exertion which can turn into an end in the exchange. The UK can restore rules with African countries so the effectively present understandings are not disregarded and can be formed with certain progressions for use.

    Working with African states in characterizing nourishment and clean benchmarks will demonstrate useful for shared exchange just as Africa itself for increasing its expectations.

    Amendments in agreements 

    Another very feasible arrangement is to include whatever both the sides concur upon in the current understandings. This will demonstrate to be an extremely powerful approach for continuous exchange.

    Offering straightforwardness to African countries in this regard won’t just expand the exchange yet additionally it will offer them the chance to turn out to be less solid universally for the guides to satisfy the requests of their kin for having a sensible existence.

    With the shared endorsement, both sides can profit by the exchange understandings effectively present. Making new ones is likewise not an awful thing but rather it can sit tight for some time until the UK can settle down with the new change and figure out how to deal with things autonomously.

    Steadily, when the certainty level creates among the two gatherings, new understandings can be made and settled upon without any feelings of trepidation.

  • The United Kingdom is trying to enhance the Trading relation with Africa

    The United Kingdom is trying to enhance the Trading relation with Africa

    Reinforcing exchange relations with the world is the most ideal approach to repay the EU exit

    As it is a hotly debated issue nowadays identified with UK relations with the remainder of the world, Brexit is taking to spotlight numerous things that are either possibly in support of the nation.

    The UK needs to construct a cordial, autonomous and direct exchange attach universally to not disconnect itself in any circumstance which is yet to come. What’s more, as Cargo to Africa is a visible mainland in UK exchange, building up an increasingly solid connection will be a one-stage ahead for the approach.

    There are a ton of things going on simultaneously to set up the nation for EU exit. On one hand, UK is managing vagrant’s concern and on the opposite side, there are broad gatherings and courses of action proceeding to move the nation towards a sure Brexit so the individuals can stay safe from the impacts of Britain leaving EU.

    Help Build Strong Regional Trade

    Probably the most ideal approaches to expand exchange is to build up a solid tie inside the landmass. A steady contention for this activity is that by improving territorial exchange the introduction to different nations and the open doors for further business will increment.

    Thusly, UK organizations can contact tremendous unrecognized Africa and give it chances to exceed expectations inside the area as well as globally as a created and business situated exchanging accomplice.

    Presenting crisp enterprises will be in long haul advantageous for the exchange and furthermore for the districts. As of now, the UK is contributing to creating African nations through trading by air and sea cargo to Africa and this progression can further take the undertakings higher than ever.

    Characterizing Standards

    There are some severe laws the nations need to comply with when they are an individual from the EU. Being an autonomous state will offer the chance to dismiss those guidelines, the EU has set and made new ones.

    In any case, this can or can’t be an astute advance as setting aside a few minutes and exertion which can turn into a stop in the exchange. The UK can restore benchmarks with African nations so the officially present understandings are not damaged and can be formed with certain progressions for use.

    Working with African states in characterizing sustenance and clean guidelines will demonstrate gainful for common exchange just as Africa itself for raising its norms.

    Increases in Existing Agreements

    Another extremely compelling arrangement is to include whatever both the sides concur upon in the current understandings. This will demonstrate to be an exceptionally compelling methodology for continuous exchange.

    Offering simplicity to African nations in this regard won’t just build the exchange yet additionally it will offer them the chance to turn out to be less solid universally for the guides to satisfy the requests of their kin for having a sensible existence.

    With the common endorsement, both the sides can profit by the exchange understandings officially present. Making new ones is additionally not an awful thing but rather it can hang tight for some time until the UK can settle down with the new change and figure out how to deal with things autonomously.

    Progressively, when the certainty level creates among the two gatherings, new understandings can be made and settled upon without any feelings of dread.

  • International problem of fuel costs influences Cargo to Africa Industry as well

    Effects of expensive fuel

    Fossil fuel is at the focal point of each financial movement. The costs of fuel decide the costs of the considerable number of products since the development of each ware relies upon oil. Actually, fuel costs influence every single person’s life here and there somewhat.

    The Cargo Industry

    The cargo industry is the above all else that is influenced by the fuel value variances. The higher fuel costs mean higher shipment charges. The ascent in fuel costs influences the cargo to Africa benefits too including trucks, railroads boats and aviation routes all and clients endeavour to maintain a strategic distance from shipments.

    So also, low fuel costs cut the payload runs after and in this way support the development of the business attributable to the greatest utilization of its administrations. The expansion in fuel costs influences the payload business from various perspectives.

    Misfortune to the Cargo to Africa industry

    At the point when the fuel value rises, the payload costs likewise rise which causes individuals to waver to utilize cargo to Africa services. This faltering prompts lesser utilization of payload administrations which diminishes the income of the load business and along these lines, the business endures a misfortune. A firm fuel cost guarantees an unfaltering income produced by the freight business.

    Rivalry

    This impact is really a constructive outcome. At the point when the fuel value rises, the load organizations attempt to alleviate the impact by giving administrations at a limited rate with the goal that the payload to Africa organizations is not upset.

    This thing advances rivalry among the load organizations and thusly, the administration rates are diminished. Be that as it may, these impacts stay dynamic for a short and constrained measure of time.

    Chain Reaction by Fuel Price

    The ascent in fuel costs really realizes a chain response. At the point when the fuel costs flood, the Sea cargo charges increases also. This expansion in the load charges implies the shipper will be energized more to make for this.

    Likewise, when the shipper will be charged more it will make the collector pay more sum. In this way, this cycle will finish up causing expansion. We can perceive how a minor change in fuel value influences every single person.

    Impacts on the Economy

    We realize that the economy of a considerable number of nations is generally subject to fuel. More fuel costs bring less load movement which influences the economy in the more drawn out run.

    Despite the fact that the impact isn’t quick, yet it has a huge influence on the destabilization of the economy. It generally impacts the imports and fares of the nations.

    Unsure Future

    Since the coordination organization run totally on the cost of fuel, they are at higher stakes with respect to oil costs. On the off chance that the fuel costs continue rising and rising, numerous organizations would go down and many would be compelled to take advances.

    So more expensive rates of fuel increment the hazard for the load organizations manifolds. Correspondingly, on the lower level, less transporting action will be noted.

  • Kenya heading towards the betterment of Air Cargo Services

    Kenyan Airports Authority adopts TIACA Cargo Service Quality tool

    Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) plans to adopt Cargo Service Quality tool, which is backed by the International Air Cargo Association (TIACA).

    Before moving towards the news it is important to know about the TIACA and the service developed by this organization, i.e. Cargo Service Quality tool.

    The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA)-representation of all sectors of the air cargo supply chain

    Launched in the early 1990s, TIACA aims to support, inform, and connect companies and organizations of all dimensions with another ambition of developing a well-organized, contemporary, and incorporated air cargo industry worldwide.

    TIACA tries to defend every size of business, and help to figure out the policy which affects all of our members, providing a unifying voice for the industry, working for global standards, and raising the profile of air cargo.

    TIACA has made this objective to inform both the public and its membership about the role and importance of air cargo, Kenya Cargo industry developments, and technical drifts.

    KAA’s aim behind adopting the Cargo Service Quality

    KAA says the key aim of embracing the CSQ is to define a uniform standard for assessing cargo service quality and improve the relationship between customers and service providers.

    The adoption of the CSQ is expected to further anchor Kenya’s position as a logistics hub in Sub-Saharan Africa. And, people will be able to send cargo to Africa or cargo from Africa to all over the world, without encountering any difficulty.

     

    Cargo Service Quality (CSQ) tool, an enhancement of the air cargo supply chain

    TIACA has developed an online Cargo Service Quality (CSQ) tool to improve prominence and facilitate global standards throughout the air cargo supply chain. This is also a step on the way to provide shippers with the capability to view the quality of service carried out by players in air cargo supply chain.

    The TIACA Cargo Quality Council (TCQC) team has been diligently working to develop a quality assessment tool that will properly record the level of service supply regardless of the geography, local conventions, size of the cargo terminal, etc.

    KAA expects to procure the quality assessment Service of TIACA

    Kenya Airport Authority (KAA) is likely to procure the quality assessment services of TIACA within the first quarter of next year, a move which is set to strengthen Kenya’s standing as a regional hub for transport and logistics.

    KAA, which copes the advancement and maintenance of airport infrastructure, safety and security services, says it has been on the receiving end of the opposing perception associated with poor quality service at shipment sheds. The authority added that it is banking on the new approach to streamline operations at the sheds. 

    The measurement of service provided by the Five Transit Sheds under KAA

    There are five transit sheds under KAA’s management namely Kenya Airfreight Handling, Africa Cargo Handling, Swiss port, Siginon Freight and Trans Global Cargo Centre.

    “KAA will take the initiative to pay for the service for us to subject the transit sheds and to be able to see the measurement of the kind of service they provide. Once we do that, we will be able to score based on the quality of service provided,” Michoma said.

    KAA is expected to incur a cost of $5,000 (about Sh500, 000) for each transit shed annually in paying for the service from TIACA.

  • UK Taking African Trade to the Next Level

    Continuous help is changing buy and sell scenario in the region

    For a long time these two countries have been doing trade in an effective and fruitful way. Doing business in Africa is not a kid’s game, the businessman or trader has to put his best efforts in setting up something new. The reason is not that people are not ready to participate in changing the situation, but it is the complex systems at every trade entry.

    The documentation is complex which results in the delay of the procedures. But efforts are being made to make the procedure efficient. In this regard, UK is lending a helping hand for setting up an advanced structure to speed up things according to the international standards. In East Africa trade access has become easy since 2010 with the onset of One Stop Border Points.

    Till now Trade Mark East Africa has funded 15 OSBP for their construction and operating. This became possible through the funding of UK’s Department for International Development and Global Affairs Canada.

    What is an OSBP

    This procedure brings the two neighboring sides under one roof for conducting the procedures regarding cargo exchange between the two. It has been reported that due to the OSBP the procedural time between Kenya and Uganda has reduced to one hour which earlier took up to three days.

    Customs, immigration, and vehicular clearance are all carried out on the same spot making the border crossing nightmare a sleek and efficient step for trade. As being a real trade booster in the Northern and Eastern side of Africa, setting up of such a facility is spreading and funds are being arranged for introducing it to new destinations.

    Sections Present on the spot

    Cargo to Africa is not only taken as a major trade partner to Africa, also its efforts to raise the living standards of people are remarkable. This British funding has made possible to give way for the structural and also deep inside development. Things like build office buildings, roads, and parking yards, cargo verification bays, scanner shed, passenger sheds, targeting booths, warehouse and canopies, ICT networks and hardware, furniture and institutional support has all become possible to maximize the chances of a smooth working environment and proper labor under one roof.

    This new progress is being welcomed by the employees very positively as it is taking off their burden. Also there is very less loss of cargo on the routes that are governed by the OSBP as you do not have to take your cargo from here to there.

     

    Advantages of this system

    The largest plus point of the technology is the reduction of time. Then there is an increased trade and a positive image of especially Uganda which was at the introduction of this process struggling hard to ease of its border and the prices for trade.

    Trade has improved since then and the government is more than appreciative for the support which UK has provided in such a hard time for this country. Other counties that received funding for this new program include Busia, Malaba, Kabanga/Kobero, Holli/Taveta and Mirama Hill/Kagitumba since 2010.

    To read more on technology, regular reading of Shout Me Crunch is recommended.

  • Insured Shipping Through Africa

    Reasons why one should have the cargo insured before its journey

    To avoid more cost for shipping like a consignment and cargo to Africa, the sender ignores this very important step most of the times. In the present times, as much positive advancement have taken place, there are many negative aspects that work side by side to take advantage of them for their unlawful activities. A very important thing to consider is that anything can happen in the course of journey to the cargo and one should be prepared to minimize the effect. Insuring the cargo is a smart decision not only for protecting it from piracy, but many other things that can affect the efficient delivery.

    Cargo Damage:

    This is very common occurrence and mishandling can result in the damage of goods. These damages can be related to physical mishandling in loading and unloading the shipment. Then there are temperature related damages that can harm the perishable goods and destroy them before reaching the destination.

    Another type is of shortage of space that results in the breakage or misshaping. In any case your cargo suffers a major quality difference which was actually required by the consignee. Then there is a long list of categories that carries the cargo damage within and is a very strong reason why you should have your cargo insured to avoid any future mishaps.

    Rising Cargo Theft:

    One very major reason of getting your goods secured is to save it from theft. It can be in the form of a pirate attack or container theft by fraud of the transport company or the ship crew. People are getting more fearless these days to commit crime as they know there is always a way out for them especially in the regions where law is not strong for such activities.

    When you insure your sea or air cargo, it means you are securing the financial loss that have the possibility to occur at any time during the shipping process. A businessman risk a major amount of his money when he is involved in the import export business, so it is not a wise decision to make your goods open to such a big loss.

    Consider Natural Disasters:

    Where mankind can do nothing is the area of natural disasters. Whether you are sending your cargo through air or through sea, you never know what can happen next. So if you are a judicious businessman, never send your valuable goods without insurance. These disasters can be categorized as nature related mishaps which include thunder or snow storms or they can be put in a mechanical fault which can occur at any time and this can result in the delay of cargo arrival or loss of a whole container or containers.

    Ensures Total control:

    If you leave the insurance part to the shippers, the terms and conditions can be tempered and all the areas may not be covered due to personal interests or to avoid any responsibility on their part. For this, make your personal presence a must in the insurance paper works so that you have a total control on the protection of your cargo.