Growing volumes of
vehicle imports through
the port of Walvis Bay
are injecting millions into the
local economy, according to
the Walvis Bay Corridor Group
(WBCG).
Vehicle imports through
Walvis Bay more than doubled
to over 20 000 vehicles in
2012, Johny Smith, chief
executive officer of the WBCG,
said.
It is estimated that the benefit
of importing these vehicles
via the Port of Walvis Bay
has resulted in an economic
benefit of more than N$150
million (R150 million) into the
Namibian economy.
This represents more than
100% increase in revenue
compared to the previous year,
said Smith. Both right- and
left-hand drive used vehicles
are imported into Angola,
Botswana, the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Malawi,
Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia
and Zimbabwe through the
Walvis Bay Corridors.
According to the WBCG,
“just more than three years
ago most of these vehicles
were transported via other
transport corridors in the
Southern African Development
Community (SADC) region.
“Now customers in the region
have found a shorter and safer
alternative to transport their
vehicles to the local market.”
Beneficiaries of the
growing volumes include the
port, shipping and logistics
fraternity, accommodation
and food establishments,
the municipality of Walvis
Bay, service stations and
other miscellaneous service
providers, according to the
WBCG.
Vehicles are sourced from the
likes of Europe, the UK, the US
and Asia.
“The growth in the import of
vehicles to the neighbouring
countries has built confidence
amongst importers to utilise
the port of Walvis Bay for the
import and export of other
commodities,” says Smith.
CAPTION
Imported used trucks in the port of Walvis Bay ... big economic benefit to the
Namibian economy.
