
Nuno Rangel, CEO, pictured at the new South African warehouse. (Image source: Rangel Logistics Solutions)
Portugal-based Rangel Logistics Solutions has invested a further €6mn (US$6.8mn) in a new warehouse facility in South Africa
The family-owned international logistics group first entered the South African market in 2020, keen to explore opportunities arising out of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
The company will also open a new office in Nakop, on the Namibian border, to augment its presence in Zambia and Tanzania, according to Tiago Pocinho, Rangel’s country manager.
Covering an area of 10,000 square metres, near OR Tambo International Airport, he said the new South African warehouse will serve as a central hub for Rangel’s expanding Contract Logistics offering.
The facility also provides bonded storage, divided into an OS Bond Store (Operating Store) for goods storage up to 24 months and an SOS Bond Store (Special Operating Store) for storage up to six months, as well as cross-docking services.
The new warehouse is expected to create at least 160 new jobs.
Since entering South Africa, Rangel’s primary focus has been on transportation and cross-border logistics as it sought to establish a presence at key border points, but it is now looking to strengthen its footprint in the logistics sector.
Rangel CEO Nuno Rangel said he anticipated further growth in line with the Contract Logistics business, leveraging the AfCFTA and expanding regional trade links.
He said the warehouse enhances Rangel’s South African capabilities while facilitating trade between neighbouring markets such as Mozambique, Zambia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, with an emphasis on supporting the mining sector.
“Today, we are becoming a benchmark in transport for the mining sector in the main logistics corridors of the SADC region, from the DRC to the main ports — Durban, Beira, Walvis Bay and Dar es Salaam — carrying out highly demanding and complex operations, especially in the transport of copper (cathodes, concentrate, blister) cobalt hydroxyde and zinc,” he said.
Since 2020, Rangel has opened four offices on the main South African borders and expanded its presence to Zambia in 2021 and then Tanzania in 2022, bringing the total investment in the three countries to €7mn (US$8mn).
“We want to be an African company and not only help connect the Southern African Development Community to Europe, but also facilitate trade among African countries,” Rangel said at the launch ceremony of the new warehouse.
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