CQR Durban/Johannesburg ranks as one of the top shipping agents in South Africa

They have been offering a full range of logistical services for more than 15 years

Alpha Shipping Agency, Conqueror member in Durban and Johannesburg, South Africa, has been ranked as one of the top freight forwarders of South Africa according to the news portal, Africa Logistics. This achievement surely demonstrates their track record and their commitment to delivering high-quality logistical services in their territories.

They have been providing integrated logistical services including breakbulk cargoes, IMO Class 1 cargoes, intermodal transport, air freight, customs clearance, and cargo insurance, for more than 15 years.

independent freight agent
independent freight agent

As stated by Byron Vather, the Sales Director of Alpha Shipping, “This achievement shows that our team’s hard work and dedication during these uncertain times has had its reward. Bearing in mind the high competition and the difficult situation we are going through, we are proud of how far our company has come and we will always do our best to offer our clients and partners with world-class services.”

“We are thankful to our clients, who are the key to our success, and for belonging to a professional network like Conqueror, where only the best agents are accepted.”

Congratulations to Alpha Shipping Services and wishing them all the best for their future endeavours!

 

CQR Durban/ Johannesburg and CQR Riga/Klaipeda teams up for several general and OOG cargo transportation

The successful partnership between CQR Durban/ Johannesburg and CQR Riga/Klaipeda is a perfect example of synergy among CQR members

Logistics Industry
Logistics Industry

The routes of the shipments were from South Africa via Riga with further road and rail delivery to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The cargo had been transported from Durban and Johannesburg to Port Riga from where they were reloaded on rail platforms for being shipped to Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Astana (Kazakhstan).

In the words of Sergei Dubinin, Sales Manager of Rinosta Shipping Agency: “This project which has involved several transhipments ports spanning 3 continents has been a perfect proof of partnership within Conqueror. One of the most challenging parts of our project has been the delivery of the OOG cargo. The power of partnership has yielded more than sufficient results and we are looking forward to collaborating again in the near future.”

Congratulations to Alpha Shipping Agency and Rinosta Shipping Agency for their successful collaboration!

 

Staff member scoops top award for ‘Understanding Shipping Course’

CQR Johannesburg has always placed an emphasis on training and educating its staff in the field of shipping and logistics through the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers

One of its more recent students, far exceeded their expectations. Director Richard Brook-Hart FICS tells the story”Four years ago, Shirley Ntsoane worked as a cleaner in an office block in Johannesburg, a job that she had done for fifteen years since leaving school. Shirley though had greater aspirations, and encouraged by her friendly attitude and work ethic, Alpha Shipping decided to offer her a job as a receptionist in the Johannesburg office. From that moment on, Shirley began to learn a whole new set of skills, and encouraged by her progress, myself and the other management suggested she studied for the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers Understanding Shipping Course. The course imparts a basic shipping knowledge, and is ideal for new entrants to the shipping industry, and to anyone in other professions who have close associations with shipping. It comprises of nine modules with written assignments, culminating in an oral and short written exam.”

international logistics
international logistics

 

“From the start, Shirley excelled, scoring high marks, and finally achieving an average pass mark of over 80%. We have now promoted Shirley to the position of Internal Sales Manager, where she continues to develop her passion for shipping, whilst retaining the humility of her origins.” Recently, Alpha Shipping flew Shirley to Durban, where she received her certificate from the President of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Bruce Ogilivy FICS. Some of Shirley’s colleagues also attended the lunch in respect and recognition of Shirley’s achievement.

 

CQR Johannesburg expands into container conversion

During the past four years, Conqueror’s agent in Durban and Johannesburg, has established a strong dependable name in the container sales and leasing market in Southern Africa, through its subsidiary

international logistics service provider
international logistics service provider

“Our name is synonymous with quality and service,” according to Alpha’s National Container Manager, James Norman, “and we have seen our market share grow steadily, as we seek, good quality equipment from China and other overseas markets. This has largely been possible due to our Conqueror partners, offering freight solutions, to facilitate movement of the containers to South Africa.”      

In a new move, Alpha Shipping has started converting shipping containers into offices, shops, houses, and classrooms. “Actually the sky is the limit” claims Norman, “because with imagination, containers can be converted to almost any design the customer wants”.

And the next move? “At the moment we are just selling locally and to neighbouring countries,” says joint Managing Director, Richard Brook-Hart “but we know there is a big demand for converted containers throughout Africa, and this is where our Conqueror partners will again play a part, as we look to further expand by exporting our units into East and West Africa.” 

 

Into the southern ice

 CQR member in both Durban and Johannesburg, South Africa extends its services to all corners of the world, literally

These include shipments to Antarctica. Taking advantage of the southern summer, Alpha Shipping has arranged the lease of nine tank containers of aviation fuel and polar diesel oil to be shipped from Cape Town to the Antarctic. The aviation fuel is urgently needed to supply aircraft at the various bases, and the polar diesel used for the generators and machinery has an additive to prevent it freezing.
freight forwarder
freight forwarder
Tank Operator, Tim van Maasdyk says, ‘The ISO tanks take quite a beating from the weather, especially during the winter, when temperatures can plummet to below 40 degrees. Our tanks have to be built of top quality materials to withstand the extremes, and still function properly.’
Alpha Shipping understands the demands placed by clients who expect top quality service at all times, whatever the conditions. So whether it is a shipment to the frozen wastes of the Antarctic or to a mine in the searing heat of the Sahara, Alpha Shipping is always up to the challenge.

CQR Durban is the bomb!

Alpha Shipping, Conqueror’s exclusive agent in Durban and Johannesburg, specializes in the shipment of many different types of cargoes including explosives, IMO Class 1. Last month, the team sent a number of these shipments to remote mines in Mali, Burkina Faso and Mauretania. The shipping of such cargo is not for the faint-hearted or those laid-back about time!

international logistics service provider
international logistics service provider

The process began with the checking and re-checking of documents before the containers were packed in special wood-lined 20 foot GP containers and inspected by the South Africa Maritime Authority (SAMSA).

When completed, the process of organising the railing of the explosive containers on a special block train from Johannesburg to an explosive yard outside Durban port could begin.

Once the vessel’s laycan was advised, CQR Durban then nominated the vessel with the port, SAMSA, the Police, and the port safety officer for final checking. Because of the experience and training the team has had they were able to advise the vessels owners on all the protocols, and certificates required.  They did their job well, as permission was granted and the vessel was allowed to berth. Alpha Shipping also assisted the Master with the segregation and stowage of the containers according to the IMDG regulations.

As I mentioned at the start, time is crucial; why? Well, because the vessel can only sail during daylight hours!

If loading was not completed by 1700 hours, the vessel would have had to sail anyway, which would have resulted in short shipment. Thankfully, this was not the first time the team had done this so the process was perfectly coordinated.

We invite all members with shipments in South Africa, to get in touch with CQR Durban.