Ford expands, increases their export capacity

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) is expanding its vehicle export operations by adopting a multi-port strategy with the first shipment of 1 000 locally assembled Ford Rangers from Port Elizabeth to markets in Europe.

Currently, Ford’s incoming and outbound vehicles are processed through Durban Harbour’s Roll On Roll Off (Roro) Terminal, the country’s primary import and export hub for most original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), importers and distributors.

Vice-president operations, Ford Middle East and Africa Ockert Berry said: “We are experiencing unprecedented demand for the Ford Ranger around the world and have invested over R3 billion in the expansion of our production capacity to fulfill these orders.

“Together with Transnet, we evaluated how a multi-port strategy could benefit both parties by improving the use of current assets, reducing costs, avoiding the ongoing congestion in the Durban terminal and utilising other ports .”

To facilitate this process, Ford has broadened its outbound logistics portfolio to support the multi-port strategy for Port Elizabeth and will be shipping vehicles twice a month to Europe from there. Ford Rangers produced at Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, are being transported to Port Elizabeth using Transnet Freight Rail infrastructure.

Traditionally, Port Elizabeth-based vehicle manufacturers transport units to Gauteng by rail and these rail assets return empty. Ford will now be using the return leg to move export vehicles from Silverton to Port Elizabeth for shipping to selected markets around the world.

“This will assist us in making the shipping and delivery more cost effective, efficient and faster,” Berry added. Rajesh Dana, port manager, port of Port Elizabeth, said: “The Transnet National Ports Authority is excited at the launch vehicle volumes Ford Motor Company will be processing through our port.

“The high number of these launch volumes further provides the Transnet operating divisions the opportunity to ensure that our OEM partners experience world- class facilitation through our port.

“Of further importance is the role that this operation will play in the long-term strategy of the port becoming an automotive hub.”

The Transnet integrated logistics solutions across three of the operating divisions to accommodate the launch exports units allows for optimisation of strategic infrastructure, moving of cargo from road to rail and improving the efficiency of export logistics.

“Not only will this project result in increased export volumes through the port of Port Elizabeth, but it will allow for value-added logistic services within the port,” Dana added.

“This will allow us to showcase our world-class automotive industry port services and allow the port to take a step closer in becoming a premier automotive hub for South Africa.”

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