Botswana transporters forced to expaned horizons

Transport operators see little hope of good recovery before Christmas after a year characterised by “inconsistent” volumes. According to Kevin Lees, managing director of Truckhire, the first quarter of 2014 saw volumes drop, although there was a significant improvement after Easter. “The third quarter was also better than what we had seen earlier in the year but volumes have not increased to the levels that were expected ahead of the Botswana election in October.” With the local market stagnant, it has been essential to look for opportunities outside of Botswana, said Lees. “Movements into Zambia and Namibia have been steadily increasing,” he added. “There is a lot of competition on these routes though and being able to deliver a consistent, reliable service is therefore very necessary. “He said some commodities continued to perform well while others were struggling to hold their own. “One has to be very aware of what is going on and also to be ready. In our business there is always ongoing f leet replacement to make sure we have the right equipment. Especially on the bulk side there is always a need for tippers for example,” he said. “We also focus heavily on driver training – not only from a safety aspect but also to ensure they are using the equipment well and are using fuel efficiently. All of this has a long-term impact on the business.” INSERT & CAPTION With the local market stagnant, it has been essential to look for opportunities outside of Botswana. – Kevin Lees