Although mineral exports
from Africa took a bit of
a beating from the global
recession and the resultant
international slowdown
in the refining industry,
at least copper seems to
be recovering somewhat,
according to Quinton Giles,
group sales manager of
Bridge Shipping.
Copper movements from
DRC/Zambia slowed down
towards the third quarter of
2011, but the Bridge group
tonnages have now grown
back to the levels experienced
in mid-2008, he told FTW.
“This growth in the copper
sector has been a major
boost,” he added. “And it’s
not only for the movement of
copper through our Ndola/
Durban facilities, but it once
again allows us to overcome
one of the biggest challenges
facing us in dealings with
Africa, and that is cargo
imbalances.
“When there is a slowdown
in copper exports
southbound we have more
cargo flowing in one
direction than the return leg.
But the pick-up in copper
volumes allows us to ensure
that the majority of capacity
under our control – both road
and rail – is utilised on a
bi-directional basis.”
Giles is also confident
that agri-product exports
will be on the up and up this
next season. “To meet this
expected volume increase,
we have recently taken on
additional warehousing
in Johannesburg to allow
for larger-than-normal
agricultural type cargo
tonnages which will be
under our control during the
2012/13 season,” he said.
CAPTION
Quinton Giles … ‘copper
recovering.’
