Rapid response to Cyclone Idai

We are rolling out alternative plans for customers following the devastation caused by cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Cyclone Idai made landfall near the port of Beira in Mozambique late last week. Beira is a major hub for shipments into Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia and other African countries.

Sadly, there has been extensive loss of life, and our company expresses condolences to the communities involved.

Our management closed the DSV facility near Beira on Wednesday afternoon, and despite extensive damage to our facility, all staff are safely accounted for.

A crisis control tower was immediately established in Johannesburg to coordinate our response. It has dealt with three major issues:

• To ensure the safety of our people. Part of this initiative has seen the early payment of salaries so that emergency costs can be met.
• To put in place alternative plans as soon as is practically possible to ensure we deliver on our customers’ mandates.
• To render whatever help we can to the broader communities in which our company works.

At this stage Beira is only accessible by helicopter. Our South African management team travelled to Beira to personally assess the damage and provide on-the-ground support.

Our country Managing Directors are communicating with customers on the whereabouts of cargo, and we are busy with alternative arrangements regarding routing of cargo.

Talks with shipping lines are on-going to develop contingency plans for in-bound cargo calling on Beira, as well as export cargo via Beira.

Alternative transit points to access inland countries include:

• Durban port (South Africa) for Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia
• Nacala port (Mozambique) for Malawi
• Dar es Salaam port (Tanzania) for Zambia
• Walvis Bay port (Namibia) for Zambia

Additional information will be published when it is available.