Namibia’s substantial growth is good news for the freight industry, and for companies like Pentagon Freight, it’s a pivotal market, according to the company’s managing director, Kevin Melnick."We are seeing extensive growth in Namibia, and it is one of our key markets for current and future growth," said Melnick. "The majority of that is due to the proactive and accepting stance of the Namibian government towards business opportunities. There is also a lot of activity in the oil and gas sectors as well as mining.”With Pentagon Freight primarily focusing on these sectors, as well as renewables and projects, the company has a targeted growth strategy to significantly increase its footprint in Namibia.“The opportunities are significant and the proactive approach by government to business allows one to tap into these opportunities,” he said. “Already we are seeing a steady increase in volumes. The outlook for the country is for further growth and volumes are only set to increase.”He said challenges faced in other parts of the region, including South Africa, particularly in securing berthing or anchorage in ports, were very different in Namibia. “Much work and effort has gone into the Port of Walvis Bay, catering for the country’s growth vision. The port is very good at handling breakbulk, but there is a need for more shipping lines to manage the opportunities," he said.Ongoing modernisation of equipment, upgrading of infrastructure, particularly warehouses, and value-added logistics services to meet global standards were necessary for Namibia to take full advantage of the boom it was experiencing. Melnick stressed the importance of companies like Pentagon Freight in identifying opportunities and delivering solutions specific to clients’ needs and expectations."Pentagon Freight wants to get more involved in the mining sector, which is experiencing major growth," Melnick stated. "We specialise in handling out-of-gauge and abnormal cargo and can provide the necessary service the mining sector requires for their infrastructure investments. Long-term strategic planning is critical if one considers the location of mines, especially in regions like the Okavango, which require extensive travel distances."Equally important are the long-standing relationships with reliable service providers on the ground. "In Africa, like most countries, having local knowledge of the market and the country is crucial for delivering excellent logistics services," said Melnick.
