Feeder service links SA and Namibia

A new feeder service between SA and Namibia is now into its second month of successful operation, carrying breakbulk and container traffic – including reefers (refrigerated containers) – on the West African leg. According to Richard Brook-Hart of Alpha Shipping, it’s being served by a 20 000-ton deadweight (dwt) multi-purpose vessel owned by Maruba. “The idea,” he said, “is to offer a service from South America and the Far East into Walvis Bay – Namibia’s main port. The cargo is transhipped in Durban, then carried onward to Walvis or the other West African ports on the schedule.” The current port rotation is Durban, Cape Town (on inducement), Walvis Bay, Douala, Cameroon; Libreville, Gabon; Pointe Noire, Congo, and back to Durban. “Eventually the intention is to put a second vessel into service,” said Brook-Hart, “with calls at Luanda in Angola added to the rotation.” And Angola already plays an important role in the cargo flow on this feeder route, he added. “An enormous amount of cargo – like construction materials - bound for Angola already goes through Walvis Bay because of the congestion in the port of Luanda. Most of it travels by road from Walvis up the corridor through Oshikango, because the cargo owners can’t afford the port delays.” There is also cargo bound from South America direct to Walvis Bay like reefers carrying chicken and beef, and consignments of china tiles and construction materials, Brook-Hart added.