Luderitz office paves way for expansion

Sturrock Grindrod Maritime (Namibia) is on an expansion drive following the opening of its new branch office in Lüderitz. This, says Dirk Kotze, the business unit manager, is to meet the growing demands of its principals which are experiencing an increase in shipping activity through the port. He says the recent merger between Sturrock and Grindrod Ships’ Agencies has helped strengthen the Namibian operation, which not only has a strong agency team, but is able to offer a full spectrum of shipping services at both its Walvis Bay and the new Lüderitz office. These include clearing and forwarding, overborder logistics, procurement and a niche market in the sale, rental and leasing of containers through its Unitainer brand. The increase in activity through Lüderitz is expected to be further enhanced with the upgrading of the rail line from Aus to Luderitz by the Namibian rail utility, TransNamib. Offshore oil and gas exploration is also expected to make use of the port. “Here,” says Kotze, “the expertise of Sturrock Grindrod Offshore will play a vital role in offering a specialised service to the industry and this will help in growing our Lüderitz office. “We have the skills and the backing of a dynamic company to support our expansion, not just at the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, but inland at Windhoek too. “Africa demands local content and we are proud to be developing it,” he said. INSERT & CAPTION The increase in activity through Lüderitz is expected to be further enhanced with the upgrading of the rail line from Aus to Lüderitz by TransNamib. – Dirk Kotze