Political factors
have impacted the
efficiency of road
trade routes into
Zambia forcing logistics
companies to reassess their
regular strategies into the
country.
Aileen Ryan, commercial
manager at
Celtic
Freight and
Logistics,
which
specialises in breakbulk,
LCL and consolidation
cargo, moving imports and
exports between Zambia/
South Africa and the rest of
the world, said
the last six to
nine months
had seen
many changes
regarding
border
crossings into
Zambia.
“Kazangula
was
traditionally
the border that
Celtic Freight
used into
Zambia,
with
many other
transporters running
through Zimbabwe
and entering Zambia
at the Chirundu
border,” Ryan said.
“Towards the end
of last year, political
factors played a part
in a large number
of trucking outfits
changing their routing
via Botswana and
also utilising the
Kazangula border,” she said.
This change, coupled with
the fact that ferries crossing
the Zambezi River were
often non-operational, had
resulted in
long queues
crossing
into
Zambia, she
added.
“The last
few weeks
have seen
terrible
congestion
at Chirundu
border
with10-kmlong
queues
being
reported.
This is also affecting transit
times into Zambia as this
is the traditional border
used by Zimbabwean and
Mozambican trucking
companies. The end user
in Zambia is unfortunately
badly affected, as they are
not able to receive their
cargo in good time.”
Ryan said the congestion
had started to negatively
affect the company’s good
turnaround times, which
led to the development of
an alternative strategy to
ensure optimal customer
service.
“We put in plans to
divert our vehicles through
to Victoria Falls, where
we are once again in a
position to cross the border
quickly and efficiently
into Zambia. We have
maintained our operation
at Kazangula border as
well, allowing for us to
switch between the two
border posts as required,”
she said.
However, Ryan said there
was further relief in sight
with the construction of a
new bridge at Kazangula
under way.
“Reports are that it will
be operational towards
the end of 2018, beginning
2019. Once this is in place,
Celtic Freight will once
again utilise the Kazangula
route into Zambia,” Ryan
said.
The last few weeks
have seen terrible
congestion at
Chirundu border with
10-km-long queues
being reported.
– Aileen Ryan
CAPTION
Long queues at Chirundu border post.
