Push for Brazil-Walvis service to 'Close the loop'

Direct services between

Walvis Bay and Brazil are

the “missing link” that is

needed to establish the

Trans-Kalahari

Corridor as

a preferred

western gateway

for Gauteng

importers and

exporters doing

business with

South America,

according to

Johny Smith, chief

executive officer

of the Walvis Bay

Corridor Group (WBCG).

He says the WBCG, which

opened an office in Brazil in 2012,

is encouraging shipping lines to

introduce the service.

“We will be able to provide a

10-day transit time between the coast

of Brazil and Gauteng,” says Smith.

He is confident that a direct service

will be in place by the end of 2016.

Brazil remains South Africa’s

largest trading

partner in Latin

America.

Trade between

South Africa

and Brazil has

seen steady

growth in recent

years, with dti

statistics showing

that exports

to Brazil have

increased in value

from R5 180 907 454 in 2010 to

R7 989 316 808 in 2015.

Imports from Brazil have risen in

value from R10 003 069 500 in 2010

to R17 762 579 644.

South African exports to Brazil

range from anthracite and coal

to medical instruments and

paperboard boxes. Exports of

manufactured products include

mining equipment, chemicals,

pool equipment, steel tubes, glass,

software, roof tiles and beer

among others.

SA imports chemicals, vehicles,

machinery, iron and steel, paper

and ceramics from Brazil.

“What we need is for more South

African logistics companies to

establish a presence in Walvis Bay

in order to see first-hand the

advantages of the corridor.

There is also an

opportunity for hauliers

to triangulate their

route and run

Gauteng–Windhoek,

Windhoek-Walvis

Bay and return

with a full load, he says.

The WBCG through its partners

assists with applications for work

permits, business

registration and

other formalities.

INSERT & CAPTION

We will be able to provide

a 10-day transit time

between the coast of

Brazil and Gauteng.

– Johny Smith