Textile volumes
expected to flow
GULF AFRICA Line (GAL) has included Walvis Bay in its monthly southbound schedule from the United States. The line will call northbound on inducement.
The first vessel, the Le Li, is scheduled to arrive in Walvis Bay on August 21.
"It will be carrying medical supplies for Namibia as part of a contract arrangement with local authorities, but it is clear the line also has
its eyes firmly focused on what is happening in this country," says Namport marketing manager Jerome Mouton.
"The decision by the giant Malaysian textile group Ramatex to set up a Windhoek operation to enable them to enjoy the full benefit of the US AGOA agreement means that huge loads of textiles will be flowing through this harbour once the plant is fully operative towards the end of the year. Gulf Africa will then be ideally placed to take these loads on its northbound sailing from southern Africa."
The first 40 containers of equipment for the Ramatex plant, which is now under construction, arrived in Walvis Bay from Germany last week aboard the weekly Maersk vessel. Maersk now calls weekly in both directions, with Maritime Carrier Shipping vessels calling on a regular fortnightly basis on their southbound schedules, according to Mouton.
The harbour has also been included in both directions on the Benguella (West African) service operated by Unicorn Shipping and P&O Nedlloyd, while Unishipping makes a scheduled monthly call to collect copper on its northbound sailing.
"We are enjoying our busiest time ever and there are a few other prospects on the negotiation boards at present," says Mouton.
