Namport upbeat about Gauteng business

THE ATLANTIC coastal ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, operated by the Namibian Ports Authority, (Namport) are eager to accept more cargo from Gauteng. “We are looking to move time-intensive commodities. Initially we are targeting the automotive industry. Manufacturers in South Africa operate on a ‘just in time’ management system, and they can use Namibia’s ports to bring in the parts faster than from other ports,” said Ellias Mwenyo, sales and services manager for Namport. The port authority is confident that Walvis Bay is a speedier port option for Gauteng importers and exporters. For one thing, transit time from Walvis Bay port by road is quicker using the Trans Kalahari Corridor through Botswana to Gauteng. “It’s a 48 hour trip. We’ve spoken to truckers, and they say they are saving R4000 in fuel per trip because it’s shorter. In transport, fuel costs are becoming more of an issue, and they are likely to go up,” said Mwenyo. The time advantage to Gauteng shippers using Walvis Bay is prompting Namport to seek out SA perishable exporters and importers as customers. Presently, Lüderitz can accommodate perishables in a 2500-m2 warehouse privately owned and operated. The port’s reefer capacity is a maximum of 72 reefer plug points. Walvis Bay’s port has total cold storage capacity of 14 000-m2, with 520 reefer slots for refrigerated containers. Since opening late last year, a 9700m2 reefer terminal handles 256 reefer containers.