New cargo terminal upgrades service at Hosea Kutako International

AIRFREIGHT WILL fly more smoothly through the Hosea Kutako International airport thanks to the opening of a new cargo complex. Built and managed by Transworld Cargo, the R9-million terminal is situated on 8.5 hectares of land. At present it consists of three 972 m2 warehouses, each with 210 m2 of office area. Transworld will use one of the warehouses, Air Namibia the second and third parties the remaining facilities. Existing Transworld cool room facilities within the main airport buildings have been moved to the new warehouse. Customs has a separate building on site, while two of the warehouses are interconnected through a “sterile” customs area which is expected to have a scanner, according to Norbert Liebich, director of Transworld Cargo. There is also a bonded warehouse in the customs area. Each of the colour-coded modern warehouses has direct access to the main apron and runway from one side, while the road-side loading ramps are all fitted with dock levellers. High roofs allow for stacking up to five metres high. Security has been given a high priority in the fully fenced site, and the whole area is monitored 24 hours a day by cameras. It has been designed and built in compliance with International Civil Aviation (Icao) regulations. The fully-paved yard is designed to provide wide turning circles and sufficient parking space for trucks. According to Liebich, Transworld won the tender to build the terminal, which is part of the airport masterplan. He says the design of the warehouses is consciously modern, with “up-market” finishes. They make a statement about future prospects for the airport and the Namibian airfreight industry.