Mining volumes expected to grow

Mining operations in Namibia are creating “exciting” opportunities for Walvis Bay, says Philip Coetzee, general manager of Woker Freight Services in the port city. “From 2012 onwards we are expecting to see work starting on the mines, which are due to start producing in 2014. This will provide consistent volumes through the port of Walvis Bay,” he says. Freight forwarders like Woker have already developed the expertise needed to handle the cargo and clearing through the support they are providing to deliver heavy machinery, equipment and chemicals to mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia, he says. Woker specialises in intransit clearances, including the provision of road bond facilities to Zambia, Botswana, Angola, Zimbabwe and the DRC. “The only problem is capacity on abnormals above a certain weight and dimension. We do not have the trucks and trailers we need in Namibia, and these have to be brought from South Africa,” he says. With the growth of the regional mining industry, there could be an opportunity for Namibian hauliers to invest in the equipment. Coetzee says Woker is also supporting the drive to move more cargo to and from Gauteng through Walvis Bay – particularly traffic bound for or originating in the Americas and Europe. “Our rates through Walvis Bay have become much more competitive. There is now a much better pricing structure for shippers using the port.” Woker provides what Coetzee describes as a “multi-user facility. We work with a large number of agencies,” he says. The company provides clearing and forwarding services for air, sea and road freight, and has bonded and standard warehousing in Windhoek and Walvis Bay.