SDV Transami, an international freight handling company has opened an Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Magerwa, after sinking $2.6 million (Frw1.4 billion) into the project.

Rodolphe Kembukuswa, the Managing Director of SDV Transami Rwanda, said the only private ICD will offer the Rwandan business community quality services.

The first in Rwanda, the ICD covers 18,000 Sq. metres with warehousing facilities of on 6,000 Sq. metres.

The facility is furnished with appropriate handling equipments such as stackers, forklifts and warehouses, handling about 250-300 containers at full capacity.

Kambukuswa explained that the company now has the capability to offer a total of logistics solutions with full range of services, including tracking of cargo from port of discharge to delivered door with appropriate claims management.

Adding: "Many advantages will result from new operations such as reduced damages, and claims demands from clients, improved and more competitive transport rates among others.”

Magerwa has been the sole company operating Rwanda’s bonded warehouses, but with the presence of SDV’s ICD, Kabukuswa believes traders will be offered with various alternatives.

"The ICD can operate as hub to cover all imports, exports and transit cargo through or in and out of the country which benefit local traders and operators,” he said.

Kembukuswa also said that with bonded warehousing services in the country, SDV can now offer airfreight services through Kigali International Airport to all main airports worldwide.

Before acquisition of the license, the company has been operating as a clearing and forwarding agent in the country without handling till end of 2006 when government decided to liberalise cargo handling services in the country.

SDV also has operations in others East African countries and it is established operates 45 countries African continent and is believed to be the major player in the region.

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