Home
FacebookTwitterSearchMenu
  • Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • Features
  • Knowledge Library
  • Columns
  • Customs
  • Jobs
  • Directory
  • FX Rates
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Send us news
    • Editorial Guidelines
Africa
COVID-19
Economy
Imports and Exports
Logistics
Other
People

Developing story: Botswana announces single drop-off decision

13 Aug 2020 - by Eugene Goddard
0 Comments

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • LinkedIn
  • E-mail
  • Print

More detail is still coming in following a reported decision by the government of Botswana to reserve 100% of domestic courier freight for local operators.

It means incoming transport operators will have to choose a single drop-off point for cargo destined for other centres across a country where - like Namibia - vast distances are the name of the supply-chain game.

Should a South African transporter of retail stock be responsible for supplying goods to locations along the A1, A2 and A3 highways, it will not be allowed on its own to distribute to far-apart locations such as Gaborone, Francistown, Maun, Ghanzi and Kang.

It will, most probably, be forced to drop its stock off at a domestic transhipment point in Gaborone and from there local couriers will have the sole right to benefit from Botswana’s internal distribution network.

It’s yet another clear example of the rise in domestic trade protectionism strategies during the coronavirus lockdown, also referred to as Covid nationalism.

Yesterday, at a webinar hosted by the SA Transport Conference and International Road Federation, several speakers warned against such protectionism.

It erodes trade facilitation benefits on which landlocked countries like Botswana depend.

Back in March, when the pandemic was tightening its grip on the world, Professor Peter Vogel of the Institute for Management Development in Switzerland wrote the following about Covid nationalism: “While the spread of the virus clearly represents a massive challenge for countries, companies and people, the walls (physical or otherwise) popping up everywhere are even more worrying. Individuals and entire countries are starting to behave in very selfish ways.”

Botswana has also gained notoriety among transporters for its inflexible testing regimes, forcing inbound truck drivers to undergo Covid checks – and it can take at least three days before a lab result is returned.

At the beginning of the lockdown it caused chaos around border crossings like Kazungula where truckers were forced to wait for days on the Botswana side of its Chobe-Zambezi border with Zambia.

And as the backlog built up and testing capacity in Botswana was overwhelmed, transporters were forced to camp out in an area ill-suited to a sudden deluge of drivers.

“It’s because Botswana is of the opinion that 90% of its infection rate was caused by truckers coming into that country,” said Mike Fitzmaurice, chief executive of the Federation of East and Southern African Road Transport Associations (Fesarta).

Meanwhile, as has become apparent in many instances, Covid data is often flawed.

It begs the question: what’s worse, the virus itself or fear of the virus?

Sign up to our mailing list and get daily news headlines and weekly features directly to your inbox free.
Subscribe to receive print copies of Freight News Features to your door.

Ukrainian authorities detain Tanzania-flagged cargo ship

Sea Freight

The vessel was intercepted near the Port of Reni as it was reportedly en route to the Turkish port of Gemlik.

05 May 2025
0 Comments

Multi-purpose terminal operator for Port of Durban sought

Logistics

The brownfield development site spans 145 hectares in the Maydon Wharf precinct of the port.

05 May 2025
0 Comments

Maputo port’s $165m terminal expansion under way

Sea Freight

The container terminal will be able to accommodate post-Panamax vessels of up to 366 metres in length.

 

02 May 2025
0 Comments

Strong figures confirm Mozambique’s economic ascendancy

Africa

Last year, growth decreased to 5%, mainly because of political unrest following disputed elections.

02 May 2025
0 Comments

DP World ships vinyl from high-tech UK warehouse

International

Robots move independently across the facility after receiving worker input in a blend of automation and manual precision.

02 May 2025
0 Comments

Trump tariffs cast shadow over SA’s soybean exports

Africa

Increased competition in third markets seems a certainty as US producers seek alternative destinations.

02 May 2025
0 Comments

South African beef exports up 30% y-o-y

Africa

For this export momentum to continue, we must intensify our efforts to control animal diseases. – Wandile Sihlobo.

02 May 2025
0 Comments

DSV completes acquisition of Schenker

Logistics

The acquisition is valued at approximately EUR 14.3 billion.

02 May 2025
0 Comments

Container market outlook bleaker for rest of 2025

Logistics

Complicating matters is overcapacity in the liner trade because of a surge in new vessel deliveries.

02 May 2025
0 Comments

National carrier plans new routes despite constraints

Air Freight

The airline has two pairs of landing slots at London Heathrow, which it is leasing out but could reclaim with adequate notice.

02 May 2025
0 Comments

Chinese ambassador opens door to increased South African trade

Imports and Exports

‘Fruitful’ discussions held with CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association and Fruit SA.

02 May 2025
0 Comments

Maersk opens first integrated logistics hub in Senegal

Logistics

The facility is between the Port of Dakar and the city’s industrial area.

30 Apr 2025
0 Comments
  • More

FeatureClick to view

Sea Freight May 2025

Border Beat

The N4 Maputo Corridor crossing – congestion, crime and potholes
Yesterday
Fuel-crime curbing causes tanker build-up at Moz border
08 May 2025
Border police turn the tide on illegal crossings
29 Apr 2025
More

Featured Jobs

New

Estimator (Airfreight Imports)

Tiger Recruitment
East Rand
12 May
New

Estimator

Switch Recruit
Cape Town
12 May
New

Sales & Marketing Assistant

Lee Botti & Associates
Johannesburg - North
12 May
More Jobs
  • © Now Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Freight News RSS
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Send us news
  • Contact us