Through diversifying its operations and pursuing innovation, integrated supply chain and transport logistics provider Cargo Carriers continues to facilitate growth and efficiency in Eswatini’s sugar sector.

Cargo Carriers prioritises innovation at the core of its operations. Aligned to this, and acknowledging the need for sustainable practices, the company has introduced infield equipment and tyres with a wider footprint to limit compaction in fields. This approach minimises ground pressure and, with the use of shorter-length equipment, reduces damage to ratoons upon exit.

These measures contribute to improved cane yields in the long term, demonstrating Cargo Carriers’ “forward-thinking approach to both environmental responsibility and operational efficiency”, says the company.

With a fleet of over 30 trucks, loaders and tractors, Cargo Carriers handles more than one-million tonnes of sugarcane a year, ensuring efficient delivery to processing mills.

Beyond transportation, the company has diversified its operations to include infield loading, infield transport and direct deliveries to meet the evolving demands of the sugar industry and its customers.

“Cargo Carriers has long been an integral part of Eswatini’s sugar industry, playing a pivotal role in shaping the sector’s growth and success,” says Cargo.

The company’s journey began in 1961 when it entered the sugar transport sector of Eswatini, then known as Swaziland.

The company’s presence in the country began with the establishment of the Mhlume depot, in the Lubombo district of Eswatini, where Cargo Carriers secured a sugarcane transport contract. “This set the stage for what would become a powerhouse in the logistics sector”, Cargo Carriers recalls.

Initially operating with three vehicles, the company rapidly expanded its operations, including establishing a second depot in Big Bend, in eastern Eswatini, to further its reach. As the industry grew, its services expanded to include the transportation of processed sugarcane for export markets.

“Today, Cargo Carriers [is] one of the largest transporters of sugarcane in the region.”

The company explains that it aims to remain a cornerstone of Eswatini’s sugar industry. Its dedication to “operational excellence” and sustainable practices ensures that the company is poised to contribute further to the growth of the sector.