Total costs should dictate choice of ports

Total transport costs should be
taken into consideration when
selecting a port, says Richard Powell
of CML Zambia.
Shippers and cargo owners are
sometimes put off by the relatively
high road transport costs through
Walvis Bay, but these can be offset
by the efficiencies in the port and its
proximity to European markets.
“Cargo from the United Kingdom
can be delivered to the Copperbelt
within 30 days of shipping,” he says.
Volumes along the corridor to
Walvis Bay would be growing
faster if the hauliers were more
competitive. Other ports serving the
region are adding to the choice as
they become more efficient.
“Dar es Salaam has improved,
and a lot of nitrates are moving
through the port,” he says.
CML has a network of 14 offices
in Zambia, with representation in
Beira, Durban, Walvis Bay and Dar
es Salaam.