Give our Middle East hauliers a fair deal
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In view of the minimal attention given in the article (CM October 15) to our very real investment made in this market over several decades in the form of overseas trailer compounds, arrangements in transit countries, etc, we at Davies, Turner & Co Ltd, would like to be associated with those freight forwarders who are giving Middle East hauliers a fair deal. • We ensure that all our Middle East haulage contractors receive copies of standard rates and services, as do prospective hauliers when application is made to us, this policy being unique among freight forwarders of our size in this country.
We quite agree with your opinion that rates for Middle East destinations are too tow, and you will notice that we are continually increasing our rates, almost on a monthly basis. It is unfortunately true that if we .raised our rates the recommended 25 per cent, some hauliers would be the first to undercut us and perpetuate the vicious circle_
With reference to the average rates which you have collated, we should like to emphasise that for Tehran, we appear to be paying 000 over the average, which reflects the importance of the volume of traffic to this city. When dealing with 30 to 40 loads a week, 52 weeks a year to Middle East destinations, it is inevitable that we are totally aware and very sensitive to the probelms hauliers face in this difficult field. Naturally it is in our interest that the 100 or so hauliers, continuously contracted by us, should not only prosper, as if they go bankrupt many problems are left to be solved, but should re-invest in their fleet and provide us with more vehicles for this expanding business.
As you appear to cast aspersions on freight forwarders in general, we would like to make it known that one of them, ourself, does have the interest and well being of hauliers as a top priority, even if it is for our own good.
DAN OGIER, Middle East fleet controller, Davies Turner & Co Ltd, London SWR.