With diverse interests in logistics and freight forwarding within the UAE, the CSS Group continues to expand and add to its capabilities. The company has recently, for example, entered into an alliance with Southampton based Peters & May to provide specialised services in yacht and marine logistics.
The joint initiative is already proving to be mutually beneficial, and earlier this year CSS was tasked with coordinating the door-to-door delivery of a luxury Technomar Nadarda 24 yacht from Genoa to Jebel Ali. CSS handled export clearance, supervision of loading, the provision of a cradle for the yacht and delivery into Dubai.
In January 2011 alone, CSS and Peters & May handled the shipment and clearance of more than 12 yachts and boats in Dubai. ‘We are looking forward to an exponential increase in the volume of business, due to the boat shows in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi,’ says Ken Dinnadge, newly appointed Vice President, Business Development. ‘We expect to be the preferred logistics supplier to many manufacturers and race teams.’
CSS is also looking to develop, together with its network partners across the world, a global ships spare parts service, and is further planning to offer regional heavy lift transport services.’This is an initiative we are planning to start in the near future in Abu Dhabi, taking into consideration the huge developments taking place in that part of the UAE,’ adds Dinnadge.
One particular area of focus for CSS over the coming year will be the provision of global shipping and logistics services for new and used construction machinery and equipment. As a recent example of its capabilities in this sector CSS was recently appointed to secure a suitable vessel to load and ship a large consignment of Caterpillar dump truck machines from Mumbai to Jebel Ali on behalf of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers.
Since being established as a ‘one man band’ by Chairman T. S. Kaladharan in 1995, CSS has grown to become a diverse logistics business employing around 750 people worldwide. The group is ranked as one of the leading NVOCCs in the UAE, and the import and export of LCL and FCL containers is still at the heart of the CSS business. In 2010, CSS handled around 16,000teu of import containers and over 8,000teu of export container loads through its Jebel Ali facility, representing a significant increase over 2009 levels.
‘Being an independent service provider means we can source the best route, through the best carrier, for the best price,’ says Dinnadge. ‘But, while we are independent, we also benefit from having a global network through relationships with other companies in different parts of the world.’