Catering for the dramatic increase in cargo movement

THERE HAS been a dramatic increase in the movement of cargo over the past three months with increased global demand for copper concentrate, according to Chris Chipimo, who is based in Ndola in the Copperbelt. Bridge Zambia is able to handle 20 000 tons of bulk and 12 000 tons of one ton bags per month, says Chipimo. “Additional volumes of copper cathode or blister can be handled within the depot while operating within the limits of Bridge’s customs bond facility. These volumes are subject to the cargo being delivered into our facility and the availability of rail and road transport.” Cargoes can be received as copper concentrate, copper cathode, copper blister or black copper. The copper concentrate can be received, stored and dispatched as loose bulk or in one ton bags while the other copper commodities can be handled as ingots or bundles. Crucial to the export of large volumes of cargo is the availability of transport, a staging area and a customs bond of sufficient magnitude. To this end, Bridge Shipping Zambia can offer warehousing in its Ndola facility for a pre-determined length of time, says Chipimo. Additional facilities are available within the depot, which can be developed to meet clients’ needs, he added. This includes the conversion of cement slabs (with a combined area of 5 900 m2) to enclosed warehouses; procurement of additional equipment to assist in the shunting of rail wagons; and refurbishment of perimeter fencing and additional security features Against the background of Zambia’s economic boom comes an increased need for security – and Bridge now has armed personnel and rapid response teams on site at its depots. Since last year Bridge has sold off the fumigation part of its business to concentrate exclusively on the transport, freight forwarding and warehousing of cargo in and out of Zambia. The Lusaka office handles a lot of project equipment imports and the export of agricultural produce such as tobacco. Coal is transported by rail from Dar es Salaam to its offices in Kapiri Mposhi where it is transhipped to trucks bound for the mines. Bridge also tranships from Ndola to the DRC and from the DRC to Namibia or South Africa. The Bridge Group also houses a trading division that supplies mines in the surrounding area with a variety of cargoes, further strengthening the relationships with local Zambian operators, he added.