Speeding up border procedures smooths the flow

Namibia’s road infrastructure
is up to the job of handling
increased volumes required
by the country’s trio of transport
corridors, and border operations with
South Africa are easing the flow.
If only the other border posts were
as efficient, local logistics firms
have said.
“Namibia is fairly stable in terms
of logistics. Definitely the investment
in roads is paying off. Because of the
infrastructure I won’t say you’ve got
guarantees but you’re pretty much
sure when loads and vehicles will
arrive. The challenge we are facing
are border post issues not with South
Africa but other African countries,”
said Nic Hendrikse of the Namibian
logistics firm FP du Toit.
For now, the solution to border post
crises is to have a troubleshooter on
the scene to handle issues that arise.
“What we’ve been doing on our
side is appointing agents at various
border posts, and using them to
speed up the process. We are also
trying to convince clients receiving
shipments in those countries that
they need to appoint clearing agents
on their side of the border,”
Hendrikse said.
Realising the expense of a clearing
agent is outweighed by potential
losses from delayed shipments,
customers are cooperative. “They
have no problem with that,”
said Hendrikse.