The entire logistics value
chain between Walvis Bay
and neighbouring countries
is being re-evaluated in order
to reduce the total cost of
cross-border shipments using
the port as a gateway to the
Southern African Development
Community (SADC).
“We are analysing our
logistics processes across all
divisions in order to see where
we can add value and reduce
costs,” says Patrick Kohlstaedt,
executive director of Manica
Namibia.
There is pressure on all
parties involved in the supply
chain to reduce costs in order to
make exports from the region
more competitive, he says.
The Namibian economy itself
is dependent on the country
being able to offer efficient, safe
and cost-effective transport
corridors.
According to the World
Bank exports of goods and
services contributed 39.6% to
the Namibian gross domestic
product (GDP), and the import
of goods and services 64.8%.
Some 54% of working
Namibians are involved in the
services sector, which includes
logistics.
With its regional footprint
Manica Namibia is able to finetune
logistics to and from all
the major destinations served
by Walvis Bay and the corridors,
according to Kohlstaedt.
Manica Namibia has also
teamed up with leading
specialist companies to help
clients to improve their own
supply chain logistics.
“There are real savings to be
made,” he says.
To date they have helped a
client to reduce their stock levels
through the use of “sophisticated
forecasting tools”.
Fleet management and route
planning software is also helping
companies to reduce their
transport costs.
“Once we have identified the
problems we are able to tap
into the Manica resources to
help companies to reduce their
logistics costs while improving
the availability of stock,” he says.
