Service stability supports trade growth

The current extensive investments in the port of Walvis Bay will not only bring about growth in the Namibian market but have the potential to significantly boost trade to the north and south, according to SafmarineMPV’s southern African line management, James Lewer and Pamela Yerushalmy. “South Africa is currently Namibia’s single largest trading partner and growth of the Namibian market not only bodes well for its trade with South Africa, but also African ports – such as Sonils, Matadi and Port Gentil – which have direct links with the port of Walvis Bay on the SafmarineMPV SAFWAF (South Africa – West Africa) service,” Lewer told FTW. The line this month increased the frequency of the SAFWAF service from seven to 10 a year. Another factor that plays a key role in the development of trade is access to a reliable shipping service, according to Yerushalmy. “The market needs and wants service stability and predictability and SafmarineMPV has offered an uninterrupted, dedicated Walvis Bay call – even in times of low cargo demand – for the past 12 months,” she added. This is key, says salt trader, Doug Gamble, a large shipper of salt from Walvis Bay to the DRC. “Inventories need to be carefully planned and stocks kept to a minimum in order to reduce costs which makes access to a regular, reliable and predictable shipping service from Namibia to the rest of Africa a non-negotiable.“ Socopao Namibia has appointed Jacques Oosthuizen as its dedicated SafmarineMPV representative in Namibia. CAPTION Jacques Oosthuizen has been appointed as the dedicated SafmarineMPV representative in Namibia.