Kariba rehabilitation offers major logistics opportunities

Logistics specialists offering project cargo services in Zambia are faced with a new dilemma – deciding between fishing and profits. The African Development Bank (AfDB), the European Union (EU), the Swedish Embassy to Zambia and the World Bank Group (WBG) have signed agreements with the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe to initiate financing for the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam. After more than 50 years of providing power for the southern African region, the Kariba Dam is now in urgent need of rehabilitation to ensure its continued safe operation. The bidding for the work is expected to be fierce, with most logistics companies in the region wanting a piece of the action. A programme of civil works conducted over the next 10 years has been prepared. Civil contractors and project cargo specialists will have to keep the dam operating safely with minimal interruptions to power generation, according to a media release announcing the deal. The rehabilitation works will include the reshaping of the dam’s plunge pool and refurbishment of its spillway, as well as improvements in dam operations. Which means that many tons of construction materials and equipment will have to be moved from one or more ports in the region to the dam. So, the question is – can one offset the costs of regular trips to the dam as a business expense (even if they include some fishing and staying on a house boat)? If the answer is “yes,” then the next question is “what is the right bait to catch the business?”