Lower transport rates attract business to Walvis Bay

Greater efficiencies
within the Bulk Haulage
Logistics (BHL Group)
truck fleet have enabled
the company to reduce freight
rates between Walvis Bay and
neighbouring countries – which in
turn has attracted more volumes
through the port, according to
general manager Francois Becker.
“We have 54 new Sinotruck
vehicles operating on the Walvis
Bay corridors and are transporting
thousands of tons a month
southbound. That has created
capacity for more north-bound
freight on the return leg,” he told
FTW.
BHL Namibia is part of the
BHL Group, which has a fleet of
side tippers, flatbed trailers and
tankers operating throughout the
SADC region.
Becker says Walvis Bay is
moving closer
to the Zambian
and Democratic
Republic of
Congo (DRC)
Copperbelt
with the
upgrading
of the road
link that runs
from Katima
Mulilo on the
Namibian
border through western Zambia
to Solwezi instead of the
existing route through Lusaka.
The “Western Corridor”
reduces the distance between
Walvis Bay and the Copperbelt
by 400 kilometres.
“That is 800
kilometres on
a full cycle,
which will
help make
the Walvis
Bay route
even more
competitive,”
he says.
BHL Group
has made a
deal with the
Zambian Roads Development
Agency/ Zambian government
to fix and maintain the
road between Kaoma and
Kasempa as part of its social
responsibility programme.
The road is 221 km long says
Becker.
The road will connect Walvis
Bay traffic via the western
corridor to the consumers in
North Western province.
“BHL Group is committed
to long-term sustainable
development in Africa –
especially in rural areas where
we can make a difference,
connecting people to the outside
world and opening new trade
routes.
“Today we will do what others
won’t, so tomorrow we can do
what others can’t, says Becker.
INSERT AND CAPTION
The ‘Western Corridor’
reduces the distance
between Walvis Bay and the
Copperbelt by 400km.
– Francois Becker