Road gains at airfreight’s expense in Namibia

KEVIN MAYHEW THERE HAS been a swing towards road transportation for Namibian freight as competition from airfreight becomes less attractive due to cost and diminished delivery speed advantages. Richard Briel, a member of Jet Park based Namibia Express, says they have introduced additional overnight runs to cater for increased volumes to Namibia. “Our gain has been at the expense of airfreight as road links have improved dramatically, removing the advantages of airfreight over road operations,” he explained. Namibia, which is not a manufacturing country of any note, continues to have no real call for extensive rail links for freighting, he added. Namibia Express began operating four years ago to meet the rapidly emerging business sector demand in Namibia for dependable delivery of mainly high tech equipment from Gauteng. With 11 vehicles to service the route Namibia Express offers delivery to Windhoek from main Gauteng centres overnight. To centres outside of the capital delivery is guaranteed within two days of departure from Gauteng on the express service. In addition a weekly consolidation service is available for non-urgent freight.