Big plans to develop Gabcon as regional hub

Growing the Gaborone Container Terminal (Gabcon) remains a top priority for the inland port operators despite the significant drop in volumes over the past year. “We have no other choice but to grow our inland terminals and develop our rail links. The cost of logistics in Botswana remains extremely high, and since it is landlocked and totally dependent on imports, it is imperative that we move more cargo on rail,” says Modise Koofhethile, managing director of Gabcon. “Yes, volumes have dropped. This year alone we are expecting to see a drop of some 40%. And a number of things have contributed to this, including projects that did not take off.” But, says Koofhethile, he remains optimistic that the situation can be turned around. “There are several plans in the pipeline to develop Gabcon into a regional hub. There is still a lot of work that has to be done, but the feasibility studies show there is a lot of potential.” According to Koofhethile, to achieve their dreams of a regional hub would entail bringing all the logistics players together under one roof. “We have a huge facility in Gaborone that can be developed. We believe there is much growth that can take place that will ultimately see the ports brought closer to the regions.” For Koofhethile the biggest challenge lies in restoring faith in rail – not just in Botswana but southern Africa as a whole. “Too much cargo is on road – and unless we see a modal shift with more cargo moving to rail, the high costs of logistics will continue to impact.” He said a lot needed to be done to upgrade the region’s rail networks, and governments were starting to invest in rail again. “Rail has been neglected, but the tide is slowly turning. The other challenge, of course, is that in Botswana, like many other countries, the expectation is that if my container arrives in Durban this morning it should be delivered the next day no later. The reality is on rail at present that is just not possible.” INSERT & CAPTION The biggest challenge lies in restoring faith in rail — not just in Botswana but southern Africa as a whole. – Modise Koofhethile