Angolan imports pump up MACS volumes

Active marketing of corridors bears fruit KEVIN MAYHEW THE DEMAND for Angolan imports via Walvis Bay is providing a significant base to complement the increasing need for southern African exports through the port. Area manager Namibia for MACS Shipping, Marc Frauendorf, says that MACS’ share of freight through the port has increased steadily since it began calling on north and southbond routes five years ago after Namport dredged out suitable draught for two container berths for its vessels. “We are very optimistic about the future of Namibia and believe that freight volumes will continue to increase on the back of extensive port upgrading and the expansion of feeder road and rail facilities into southern African countries. “We are currently moving a lot of imports for delivery to Angola and benefiting from the increased export and import traffic on the Trans Caprivi and Trans Kalahari corridors that are being actively marketed by the Walvis Bay Corridor Group,” he said. MACS has seen growth in its share of the reefer market, he added. The line has increased its calls to Walvis Bay to once a week southbound and every two weeks northbound.