NVOCCs, or Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers, are third-party intermediaries within the international freight transportation sector primarily serving the less-than-container load market. Over the past few years the NVOCC industry has experienced a high percentage of growth. This growth can be attributed to several factors, but at the core, NVOCCs have grown because they facilitate the international transport of relatively small shipment lots that would otherwise be less likely to move across borders in the ocean freight system.
Consolidated Shipping Services Group is one of the fastest growing NVOCC in the region where it operates. With the nature of the NVOCC business transforming itself over the past decade, the CSS NVOCC team have developed a new range of service options that have enabled them to become one of the most sought after NVOCC’s in the region. Through research and development of extremely sophisticated software that has changed the nature of the NVOCC offering, the team at CSS has also added more trade lanes to their schedules and entered into partnerships that have led to more services for global oriented customers.
This reputation has guaranteed competitive rates & space with major liners for consolidated shipments on a regular basis. CSS represents the leading NVO’s globally that have Sea Freight Import/Export consolidation to an impressive 1650 destinations on a weekly basis. CSS handles the movements of cargo through major trans-shipment hubs like Singapore, Hamburg, La Spezia, Rotterdam, Durban, Alexandria, Colombo, Felixstowe and New York. At present it features direct export consolidations to over 40 destinations, which include niche sectors like Beirut, Tunis, Port Louis etc. We also manage direct import consolidations from various origins like Australia, Asia, Africa, North and South America, Europe, and the Middle East.
While NVOCC’s keep a strong focus on servicing a specific industry or commodity, CSS’s NVOCC have a niche operation in the Middle East region with their own network in the major trading hubs of the region; Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and therefore offering their clients a sharp focus, and extremely close working relationships with individual customers.
Mr. T.S. Kaladharan, Chairman, CSS Group stated, “With each market having specific requirements, we felt it was necessary to establish CSS NVOCC network offices in order to cater to the growing demands of our clientele. Our network offices have dedicated teams who are able to provide their customers with a focussed approach of years of expertise.”
Abu Dhabi
Strategically located at the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, CSS Abu Dhabi, since its inception, has experienced phenomenal growth due to its presence in one of the Middle East’s fastest growing markets. Talking about this growth Mr. Suku Sudhakaran, Asst. General Manager, CSS Abu Dhabi, “We are focusing on key export sectors such as Europe, Hamburg, Rotterdam, United Kingdom, North America and the Far East for mainly oilfield spare parts and machinery along with personal effects and relocations movements on a regular basis. As for imports, we are targeting clients who have regular LCL imports of textiles, lighting equipment, spare parts, dry foodstuffs, healthcare, fitness equipment and electronics.” CSS Abu Dhabi has opened its new Logistics facility in Mussaffah, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in a strategic move to cater for the volumes of exports and imports serving this region. Conveniently located at the Abu Dhabi Business Hub, the spacious warehouse is spread over an extensive area providing facilities for offices and workspace. With this added logistics facility taken up in Mussaffah, CSS Abu Dhabi aims to provide complete storage and logistical solutions to the Abu Dhabi marketplace. ICAD 1 is located near to Mussaffah Sea Port and is 12 minutes from the Abu Dhabi International Airport.It covers an area of 14 sq. km and is 30 km away from the heart of the City of Abu Dhabi.
P.O. Box 32454, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Tel: +971 2 6431717, Fax: +971 2 6431919, Email: info@cssabudhabi.com
Bahrain
Bahrain is a small island west of the Arabian Peninsula which is located in close proximity to Saudi Arabia, which lies to its west, and Qatar, which is to its southwest. Meaning “two seas” in Arabic, Bahrain is unique because it is an archipelago of 33 islands with Bahrain Island being the largest. CSS Bahrain’s office which was setup in 2002 has experienced steady growth through the years mainly due first to its location and secondly by the expertise its staff offers. Mr. Narayan RT, General Manager explains, “We have regular LCL Services from all around the globe, especially from China, India, Europe & USA along with regular import consols from China, United Arab Emirates, India and the United Kingdom. We operate weekly export consols to Jebel Ali & Singapore and direct consols to Antwerp every fortnight. Europe & USA are other sectors in which we have regular on going trade with. The main commodities handled by CSS Bahrain vary from industry to industry, both by way of import and export. The common imports we handle range anywhere from building materials, machinery, oil field equipment’s to project cargoes. The regular exports from Bahrain that we undertake on a consistent basis is machinery/heavy equipment’s, garments, aluminum products and petroleum products. Our dedicated and prudent workforce along with our customs bonded CFS facility within the Mina Salmaan Port has ensured successful handling of ocean freight containers coming in from various ports of the world.” CSS Bahrain has been maintaining an excellent relationship with leading carriers, thereby ensuring competitive rates and services to its valued clients.
P.O. Box 2209, Manama, Bahrain, Tel: +973 17540106, Fax: +973 17540107, Email: info@cslbahrain.com
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi. More than 200 factories operate at the Jebel Ali complex in Dubai, which includes a deep-water port and a free trade zone for manufacturing and distribution in which all goods for re-export or transshipment enjoy a 100% duty exemption.
Its geographical location has made it an important trading hub and by the beginning of the 20th century, it was an important port. Likewise, CSS Dubai was established in 1995 with a vision to cater the ever-growing demand of trade between countries, predominantly in the areas of ocean freight. Since Dubai is a major trading hub by connecting trade from all areas of the world, it was important for CSS Dubai to meet the needs and requirements for both its local and international clientele trading in the Emirates. “Having our corporate head office based in Dubai and our state of the art CFS facilities in the Jebel Ali Freezone which has been rated among the best in the region we are able to cater for all goods being imported and exported not only from Dubai, but from the other Emirates, i.e.: Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah,” adds Mr. U.B. Prince, Vice President NVOCC Operations. “Our Ocean Freight Management team of CSS handles movement of cargoes from any global origin/destination, be it LCL or FCL and as a leading NVOCC, CSS has secured excellent relationships with leading carriers, thereby ensuring outstanding rates and services,” he explains.
Corporate Office, P.O. Box 27802, Dubai, UAE, Tel: +971 4 3248884, Fax: +971 4 3249994, Email: info@cssdubai.com
Kuwait
Looking specifically at Kuwait, Mr. Dean Landers, General Manager, CSS Kuwait, commented, “For Kuwait, China is one of the strongest markets. Chinese products form the major imports into Kuwait and CSS Kuwait has weekly imports from Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, and Guangzhou. Since Kuwait is an import-dominated market, products as small as pins and buttons to enormous machinery, all get imported into Kuwait. Due to the ideal location of the major Middle East markets, the Far East and India is able to benefit from goods that are imported into Kuwait. Our custom built state of the art warehouse at Shuwaikh which is an industrial area within the Al Asimah Governorate in the country of Kuwait is used for storage and export cargoes while our bonded warehouse facility in the Kuwait Free Trade Zone (KFTZ) is attached the Shuwaikh port and is mainly used for import cargoes. Shuwaikh port, due to its location and accessibility in the heart of the city is the most frequented port for all vessels carrying commercial cargoes.”
C/o ADC Forwarding Services Co.W., 1st floor, Suhair Commercial Centre, Al Hilali Street, Opp. Sharq Fire Station
P.O.Box 12075,Shamiya 71651, Kuwait, Tel: +965 22493957,+965 22400176, Fax: +965 22458892, Email : css@csskuwait.com
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest Arab country. It is bordered by Jordan and Iraq on the north and northeast, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on the east, Oman on the southeast, and Yemen on the south. With an approximate size of 2,149,690 square kilometres, it is only natural that a number of offices were setup in Saudi Arabia to cope with client needs, currently CSS Saudi Arabia has 3 offices situated in Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh. Giving his insight into the NVOCC market in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Faisal, Director CSS Saudi Arabia.
“CSS Saudi has conveniently located its bonded warehouse facility in the Damman and Jeddah Free Zone; both locations are ideal as a hub and gateway for Saudi Arabian imports and re-exports to neighbouring Gulf & Middle East countries. The Damman bonded and Re-export Zone is situated within the confines of King Abdul Aziz complex in Dammam and provides access to 22 millions consumers in the Saudi market and 1.2 billion consumers in the markets of neighbouring countries. The many advantages offered by CSS Saudi is the easy access made by land, sea or air to any regional destination. King Fahad International Airport is just 45kms away and the advanced highways network as well as the railway network; provide practical land-transit access to Saudi Arabia’s main cities and all neighbouring countries. The main imports into Saudi Arabia are machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles and textiles, while major exports from Saudi Arabia are petroleum and petroleum products. Consolidated Shipping Services – Saudi Arabia is one of the leading freight forwarders in the region and is backed by a young, energetic and professional team which provide cost effective logistical solutions for all of its customers.”
P.O.Box 9580, Dammam – 31423, Tel : + 966 3 8333636, Fax : +966 3 8320533, Email : docdmm@csssaudi.com
P.O.Box 14051, Riyadh – 11422, Tel : +966 1 2063111, Tax : +966 1 2921260, Email : docryd@csssaudi.com
P.O.Box 52143, Jeddah – 21563, Tel : +966 2 6427330, Fax : +966 2 6437220, Email : docjed@csssaudi.com