Cargo owners have the
opportunity to save
thousands of dollars in
finance and other charges
by switching to Walvis Bay,
according to Dries Oberholzer,
managing director of Maersk
Namibia.
One of the main export
commodities from Namibia’s
hinterland neighbours is the highvalue
copper products. Shippers
from Zambia and the Democratic
Republic of Congo save at least
four days by switching to Walvis
Bay from the more traditional
routes through Durban, Beira and
Dar es Salaam, he says.
Importantly, having weekly
export sailings ex Walvis Bay
prevents cargo being delayed in
ports, negatively affecting the
customer’s cash flow.
Furthermore, security costs on
the other corridors are another
expense that can be mitigated
when using the Walvis Bay
Corridors where cargo owners can
be assured of safe transit of their
goods.
Walvis Bay is well connected
to the main trade routes to Europe
and the Mediterranean, as well as
the East. There is a Maersk vessel
in port on most days.
Maersk Line has been part of
the growth of Walvis Bay. The
line celebrated its
15th anniversary late in 2012,
making it the longest-serving
shipping line in the Namibian
market, he says.
With Walvis Bay being well
connected to the rest of the world,
the immediate challenges and
opportunities lie on the landside,
he believes.
“Growth out of the hinterland is
encouraging, but we would like to
see it growing faster.
“The real issue is the
availability of road transport. The
corridor is doing well, and the
border posts have become much
more efficient, but we need to
balance the flow of freight,” he
says.
“It is imperative that shipping
lines play their part in trying to
make this happen, as opposed to
waiting for it to happen. Everyone
along the supply chain wanting
to develop and benefit from the
Walvis Bay Corridors needs to put
up their hand and be counted.”
CAPTION
Dries Oberholzer … ‘The real issue is
the availability of road transport.’
