Freight forwarders have kept cargo moving through Walvis Bay through Covid-19 lockdowns and global supply chain disruptions through innovation and commitment to service, according to Stef Lintvelt, managing director of Camel Thorn Freight Forwarding.“The whole industry had to go outside their usual scope and make things happen in a seemingly impossible scenario,” she told Freight News.“I am glad that we have been in the industry for 11 years. It meant we were able to build up relationships with our customers that helped get us through the worst,” says co-founder Renald Hite.The erratic arrival of vessels added to the pressure, as did the shortage of containers.Camel Thorn specialises in frozen cargo, but also moves dry goods.The two decided to focus on serving existing customers during the worst of the disruptions.“We did not want to let anyone down,” says Lintvelt.The company is now on a growth path.The strategy of focusing on relationships and maintaining service levels has paid off, and Camel Thorn has seen the volumes it handles g row. “Export volumes have picked up, which comes with its own challenges, such as the shortage of equipment. "But, the good thing is that the volumes are there,” he says.Hite and Lintvelt believe that Walvis Bay and the corridors serving it have the capacity to handle much larger volumes than they are doing at present. “Other ports in the region are facing challenges of their own. We offer a good alternative gateway,” says Hite.
