Inchcape Shipping Services invests in Namibia

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) has established a Namibian subsidiary with offices and warehousing in Walvis Bay and plans to expand into the rest of the country. “Africa is the future for our world economy,” says Benjamin Osbahr, branch manager of Inchcape Shipping Services, Namibia. The company provides a wide range of services in Walvis Bay – from marine services and port agency to door-to-deck deliveries and container sales. It also offers warehousing for containers and consignments in Walvis Bay. According to Osbahr, ISS invested in the facility due to limited access to bonded warehouses around Walvis Bay. “Shipping lines and other shippers were previously forced to choose between two or three highpriced parties which did not match their expectations,” he says. The investment in facilities plus the plans to open additional offices are also driven by an increase in the number of transit containers, vehicles and break bulk bound for hinterland countries as well as the Namibian market, he says. ISS has 300 offices employing over 3 800 people across 66 countries. The company currently operates from eight countries in Africa and has ambitious expansion plans for the continent, of which Namibia is seen as a key component. It is the first African office outside of South Africa. “The oil and gas industry is increasing tremendously. “Skills are being attracted into Africa to develop the mining sector, and the population is growing. “Africa is not only consuming more, but very soon will also increase exports,” says Osbahr. ISS’s diversified customer base includes clients across the oil, cruise, container and bulk commodity sectors. CAPTION Aiming to make Walvis Bay the preferred West Coast port