Forwarder predicts hefty increase in Zambia’s copper exports

JOY ORLEK COPPER EXPORTS from Zambia and the DRC are likely to accelerate in the year ahead as higher prices and the opening of new mines offer promise of steady growth. According to Paul Vickers, UK-based operations manager of African Cargo Services, which specialises in the movement of copper and other base metals from Zambia and the DRC to worldwide destinations including the Far and Middle East, volumes could increase by as much at 50% in the year ahead, primarily because of the increasing value of the metal. At time of writing it was $2 900 a tonne, compared to two years ago when it was struggling to get over the $1 700 a tonne level. “With the opening up of the DRC a lot more copper and other base metals are coming out of the region,” he told FTW in London recently. “With a new mine coming on stream this year on the Zambia border, this could add an extra 4 000 tonnes per month.” African Cargo Services is currently moving 20 000 tonnes per month and if the price continues to rise, he’s confident that his share of the market will keep pace. “Our primary market is the Far East, followed closely by the Middle Eastern countries of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Kuwait.” The company ships either through Dar es Salaam or South Africa and getting the best deal for the shipper demands an integrated logistics approach, says Vickers. “We ship extensively with Safmarine because unlike a lot of shipping lines they maintain a cross-trades office in London which, from our perspective, understands our requirements. “If you talk about going from PE to Penang, for example, and you need access to the most cost-effective transhipment option, they have the global perspective to map the most efficient route.”