Partnership improves logistics links

A PARTNERSHIP between Windhoek-based Desert Logistics and Schenker Logistics has helped improve logistics efficiencies for importers and exporters working through Namibian ports and airports. One of the first areas to benefit has been airfreight, according to Sean Fallis of Desert Logistics. Having access to Schenker’s global network has helped drive down costs. Airfreight is now routed from Windhoek to Frankfurt on either a 747 or an Airbus. This capacity is being utilised by a growing number of Gauteng-based companies. Desert Logistics runs a daily overnight road freight service between Windhoek and Johannesburg. Road is being used because it is considerably cheaper than air, and there is only four hours’ difference between the two services operating out of Gauteng, he says. Within Namibia itself, Desert Logistics is using a combination of air and road freight. The company makes use of most of the available Air Namibia capacity internally. It provides a daily four ton road service between Windhoek and Swakopmund, and a five ton service to and from Walvis Bay from Windhoek. The company also services the southern Angolan market, with one of its biggest contracts being the delivery of 24 tons of femidoms to southern Angola. Its mining clients, who were among the first customers, remain an important part of the business. The company has offices in Walvis Bay, Lüderitz Bay, Rosh Pinah and Oranjemund. Its South African offices are in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban. Due to the growth in road freight, Desert Logistics purchased four new delivery vehicles in the first three months of 2008. The partners have also introduced a weekly 34-ton freight service that leaves Johannesburg on Friday evening and is ready for delivery in Windhoek on the Monday morning. A second Tuesday service is being planned. The partnership with Schenker has turned the relatively young Desert Logistics into a “full onestop shop” offering sea, air and road freight, in addition to warehousing, clearing and forwarding. “Over the past year our clearing and forwarding business has grown dramatically. It has become a big portion of our business,” says Fallis. The company is opening a clearing and forwarding office in Walvis Bay.