Transhipment cargo to Zambia grows 'exponentially'

JOY ORLEK THE GROWING volume of project and abnormal cargo moving through the Port of Durban in transit to Zambia’s construction and mining industry has boosted business for Zambian specialist Celtic Freight which describes growth in its Durban operations as “exponential”. “We have based our ‘Celtic Heavies’ division in Durban under the management of Cobus Marais because we see this as the logical depot for this division,” says managing director Adrian Friend. The company now has a trailer available specifically for equipment collection from Durban port. “This ensures that our customers do not incur port storage charges because we can collect their vehicles and store them at our depot before shipment to final destination,” he told FTW. Celtic has ordered 2 x 40 ton and one 50 ton low bed trailers to bolster this division, and is currently finalising the commissioning of a portal gantry for its depot. “This will give us more than enough capacity to handle most project cargo,” said Friend. But despite this growth in transit traffic, he believes that the Durban port authorities have adopted a very short-sighted view of transit cargo. “They don’t seem to realise that other African ports are doing their best to take transit business away from South Africa. “They seem to view transit cargo as a hassle, not realising the enormous potential it offers in terms of revenue for the port and South Africa.” Shipping to ports like Dar es Salaam is much more expensive, says Friend. “And the transit to Zambia is actually cheaper via the Durban corridor than through Tanzania.” There is however a misconception in Zambia that Dar es Salaam is the cheaper if less efficient route, says Friend. “Once more importers realise this, Durban is potentially looking at a greater share of this market.”