Mediterranean region & Africa: Backbone of global maritime trade

Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, and South Africa have traditionally played a key role in maritime transport, which is the backbone of global trade. Due to their strategic maritime location between continents, these countries serve as both gateways and transit corridors for international freight traffic and are united at a. hartrodt in the Mediterranean region & Africa. “In addition to our logistics hub in Genoa, we operate a control tower in Johannesburg for cargo arriving via South African ports and destined for markets south of the Sahara,” says Regional Director Maurizio Fasce in Genoa.

Strong sense of unity in the region

With 28 employees, Italy is the regional headquarters, with a total of 92 people working in six national companies. “We are special because our exceptional managers tirelessly support the development of people,” emphasizes Maurizio Fasce. For him, the “strong sense of unity” shapes day-to-day business, for example in Genoa: At the global LCL hub, a. hartrodt consolidates shipments from several countries of origin for over 50 destinations worldwide.

Challenges in Mediterranean-Africa trade 

In addition to increased LCL hub activities, the regional director mentions “the development of trade between the Mediterranean region and Africa” as another goal. For most countries in southern Africa – according to Maurizio Fasce, “especially Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana” – a. hartrodt can offer door-to-door services. However, the Mediterranean region is prone to conflict: “Events in the Middle East, North Africa, or the Red Sea/Suez Canal lead to sudden route changes, increased insurance costs, as well as container and capacity shortages.” Maurizio Fasce also says that varying regulations and customs procedures in the region are hampering cross-border services.

The Regional Director highlights “in-depth knowledge of the local market and regulatory framework” as a strength: “Instead of short-term price advantages, we offer personalized consultancy and develop customer-centric strategies.”

Download below: Overview Mediterranean region & Africa