Prospects for Walvis Bay bulk exports looking up

Revitalisation of the regional mining sector combined with investment in rail will support the growth of bulk exports through Walvis Bay, according to Kirsten Beeker, manager of marine, mining and energy at Woker Freight Services. The company has an inside track on developments through its presence on many of Namibia’s mines. Many of its staff are also ex-mine and retain contact with their former work colleagues. “Over the past few months we have seen two new gold mines start production, and a third is about to open,” he told FTW.
There has also been growth in corridor volumes handled by WFS. “There is lots of development on the Copperbelt, and we expect this to increase when the commodity price of copper recovers,” says Glaudie Olivier, manager of corridor and domestic freight at WFS. WFS is working with other logistics companies and hauliers to develop Walvis Bay corridors through the quality and reliability of service shippers enjoy, she adds. Beeker says WFS is monitoring rail developments, with a proposed link through to Botswana being one of the most exciting. A start was made with the signing
of a memorandum of understanding between TransNamib and Botswana Railways (BR) in November last year in which the two railway operators agreed to cooperate on the development and operation of a container terminal in Gobabis. Described as a “short- to medium- term partnership to connect the two rail companies via rail-road intermodal service,” it “serves as a starting point to assist the two governments to develop the Trans Kalahari Railway (TKR) project,” according to a joint statement after the signing. “A number of tenders have subsequently been advertised for the
movement of freight on the route,” says Beeker. Walvis Bay will be able to handle the growth thanks to the opening of the new container terminal. “We are very positive about the prospects for the new terminal,” says Philip Coetzee, general manager of Woker Freight Services. There has already been an increase in requests from shippers and freight forwarders for quotes and advice on using Walvis Bay as a gateway, he says. “As agents we see that Walvis Bay has the potential to position itself as an alternative to the South African ports,” he says.