Logistics service provider
Celtic Freight has invested
in a new container
terminal to help boost
the growth of rail in Zambia as it
believes it is the way to go for bulk
transport in the country, said the
company’s managing director,
Adrian Friend.
“Celtic has
launched a
container and
specialist cargo
handling depot in
Lusaka to serve
both road and
rail business,”
said Friend,
commenting that
the company
recognised that
rail would soon
play a huge part
in Zambia’s import and export
potential.
“Zambia Railways (ZR) has
been slated in the press, yet our
experience is that they are in fact
interested in solving problems,” he
told FTW.
According to him, ZR has been
to Celtic’s facility and the executives
have told him they are keen to work
with the private sector.
“Until recently there has only
been one rail/container terminal
in Kitwe, and one in Kapiri
Mposhi. Having
an independent
modern facility
in the heart
of Lusaka’s
industrial area
could create
numerous
opportunities
for the cement,
agricultural and
steel sectors,” said
Friend.
He said
that Grindrod – Africa’s largest
forwarding and rail concession
operation – has included Celtic’s
terminal on its list of serviceable
destinations. “The three largest
shipping lines in the world that
provide a TBL service to Zambia
also use the terminal,” said Friend.
Celtic has also invested in a
reach stacker, modern empty
stackers and 20 000 sqm of hard
standing (parking for trucks) to
service the terminal.
“This kind of capital investment
does pose some risk but we feel
it will pay dividends in the long
term,” commented Friend. He
added that while a block train
to and from Lusaka could easily
be sourced it was harder to find
a reliable service provider to
handle the offloading, storage
and distribution or packing of the
containers.
INSERT & CAPTION
Zambia Railways has been
slated in the press, yet
our experience is that
they are in fact interested
in solving problems.
– Adrian Friend
Celtic banks on rail growth
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