Corridors facilitate efficient supply chains

Kevin Mayhew BULK CARGOES through Walvis Bay port are as vibrant as ever and there seems to be an increase on the previous year, says executive director of Walvis Bay based TRT Shipping Services (Namibia) Nico Oberholzer. “General cargo has remained rather constant but the Trans-Kalahari and Trans-Caprivi Corridors could significantly improve this – as long as neighbouring countries participate to make it a success,” he told FTW. Despite the fact that the Namibian fishing industry is in a spot of bother, TRT still recorded a successful year in 2004, he added. “The governments and business communities of our land-locked and corridor partners must realise the opportunity provided by the corridors. They’ve opened very exciting alternatives and the port and related service providers are willing to face up to the challenges, providing competitive and efficient outlets to the markets in Europe, America, South America and the Far East. “The commitment and ability to integrate and competently manage entire supply chains will be the key to success for corridor users as it will drive costs down,” he says. Highlighting the closure and downsizing of various fishing operations, he said TRT had weathered the impact by aggressively pursuing other markets which had enabled the company to improve on its performance.