Dachser Transport of America Inc. (Dachser USA), the U.S. division of one of the world's leading global logistics service providers, announced that parent company Dachser has opened a branch in one of the largest cities in South Africa, Port Elizabeth, which is situated in the Eastern Cape Province. This is Dachser's fourth South African branch office, adding to locations in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

"This office has been in the pipeline for some time, driven by expanding opportunities in the Eastern Cape," says Detlev Duve, managing director of Dachser South Africa. According to Duve, Dachser plans to harness the opportunities brought by the continuous growth in the logistics industry in Eastern Cape since the inception of the Port of Ngqura, which lies just 12 miles northeast of Port Elizabeth at the mouth of the Coega River.

"It is important to us to offer our customers, particularly in the automotive industry, a transport solution and a connection to our global logistics network from Port Elizabeth to the rest of South Africa," Thomas Reuter, managing director Dachser Air & Sea Logistics, explains.

Harold Thomas has been appointed manager of the Port Elizabeth branch office. With more than 30 years of experience in the freight industry, Thomas will lead a team of highly skilled staff recruited from the Port Elizabeth area. "Dachser South Africa is committed to employing and training local staff. Job creation will continue to be important to us, especially given the high unemployment rate in the region," says Duve.