From US to Botswana mine in 30 days

Heavy equipment loaded in the United States for the Discovery Copper Mines in Botswana was delivered within 30 days using the port of Walvis Bay and the Trans Kalahari corridor, according to Agnetha Mouton, marketing and communications officer for the Walvis Bay Corridor Group. Handled by Woker Freight, the cargo was carried on MACS Shipping’s weekly GAL service carrying containers and break bulk cargo. “This service has brought many vehicles and a range of equipment, in some cases abnormal cargo for Botswana, DRC, Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe,” says Mouton. The latest consignment – the first of three for the mines – included road scrapers, terex and terrain cranes. The largest piece measured 9 100cm x 4 200cm x 2 500cm. Landside transport was handled by Wesbank Transport, with the load crossing at the Mamuno border post. “The acquisition of mobile cranes and related equipment to handle additional equipment and abnormal cargo at the port has led to an increase of such cargo being handled at the Port of Walvis Bay not only for Botswana, but also for Angola, DRC, Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia,” she said.