Virtual model keeps used vehicles moving

Between 500 and 700 used vehicles a month are being processed through the port of Walvis Bay by NMT Shipping Namibia before the vehicles are handed over to their new owners in Namibia or neighbouring countries. The vehicles range from passenger cars to agricultural machinery, according to Nieuwoudt Boshoff, managing director of NMT Shipping Namibia. Operating in the world’s most important trade lanes, NMT moves cargo on deep-sea and short-sea ro-ro vessels. The non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) has the first right to decline bookings to fill empty space from Europe on three different carriers – Eukor, Glovis and MOL. It has also introduced a service from Japan to the west coast of Africa. At present between 70% and 80% of the used cars moving through Walvis Bay are bound for Zimbabwe, according to Boshoff. They are often bought by family members living in the United Kingdom who send cars home to help those who are still living in the country. Vehicles are also loaded onto the vessels for return to Europe after the owners have used them to tour the region. Tractors, combine harvesters and other agricultural machinery are being imported into Zambia where the government is focusing on ramping up agricultural production. Used trucks are also imported from the United Kingdom for use in the neighbouring countries. There is a strong demand for refrigerated trucks, according to Boshoff. In addition to booking space on the vessels, NMT contracts stevedores in Walvis Bay to move the vehicles off of the ro-ro vessels. High-end second hand and new vehicles and trucks are stored in the Botswana Dry Port, operated by NMT Namibia, until they are collected by consignees or loaded on car carriers for delivery to the final receivers. Import regulations put in place by the neighbouring countries have noticeably improved the quality of the vehicles being imported, he says. “We have seen a dramatic upturn in terms of the quality of the vehicles.” INSERT & CAPTION At present between 70% and 80% of the used cars moving through Walvis Bay are bound for Zimbabwe. – Nieuwoudt Boshoff