PARIS: Paris-based Bolloré Group has signed a joint venture agreement that will see two Japanese companies further tap into the finished car import business in Kenya.
The French firm, which initially launched its operations in Kenya as SDV Transami, has through its Kenyan subsidiary of Bolloré Transport & Logistics, partnered with trading company Toyota Tsusho Corporation and international shipping company NYK Line to establish the vehicle logistics company Bolloré NYK Auto Logistics Limited. The logistics firm will provide services that include inland transport, car storage and customs clearance at the Mombasa port, which also serves as a gateway other countries in the region.
The firm will also offer pre-delivery services such as final inspections, repairs, and parts application before delivery to a car dealer. “Kenya is a country currently experiencing strong economic growth. It is expected to see a rise in finished car imports and become a gate port for countries in East Africa.
“At the Mombasa port, this new company will offer a variety of services, such as inland transport, and pre-delivery inspection as well as car storage and customs clearance within this year,” NYK Line said in a statement on their website.
The strategic partnership will seek to exploit the established transport and warehousing business that Bolloré currently enjoys in the country and Toyota Tsusho’s network experience.
“This strategic three-way partnership will merge the knowledge and know-how built up by Bolloré and Toyota Tsusho in a range of business developments, together with the considerable experience and technologies in vehicle logistics acquired by NYK around the world,” said Toyota Tsusho.
The entry of Bolloré NYK Auto Logistics Limited comes at a time when the vehicle market for imported and locally assembled cars has declined by 22.4 per cent in the nine months to September.
