Freight capacity on the
Trans-Caprivi Corridor
is approaching the
critical mass required
to ensure that freight moves
smoothly along the Walvis Bay-
Ndola-Lubumbashi Development
Corridor, says Andrew
Sinyangwe, Zambian business
development manager for the
Walvis Bay Corridor Group
(WBCG).
“There is increased interest
from the mines. We are now
focusing on increasing truck
capacity and storage in Walvis
Bay,” he says.
It is estimated that the corridor
has the capacity to carry three
thousand tons of cargo a month.
Mines which have been testing
the route with convoys of up to
25 trucks at a time are reporting
that their cargo moves faster,
and that the shipping is more
efficient than on the other main
routes, says Sinyangwe.
So much so that exporters from
Malawi have also started using
the Trans-Caprivi Corridor in
preference to those linking the
country to much closer ports.
According to the WBCG group,
there has been a 75% increase in
volumes along the corridor over
the past year.
“We are seeing growth in the
full spectrum of cargo, and not
only mining-related freight.”
At present there is some
capacity on the return journey as
the corridor is presently carrying
more imports for Zambia and
neighbouring countries than
exports, he says.
The Walvis Bay Corridor
Group is working closely with its
members to help them benefit
from the growth of the corridor.
“Anyone who can offer a service
and has the capacity to deliver is
welcome to speak to me,” he says.
Sinyangwe has hosted a
number of information sessions
for WBCG members wanting to
expand their services into the
Copperbelt and other regions.
Members are also welcome to
accompany him on his regular
visits to market the corridor in
the Zambian hinterland.
“We believe there is massive
potential to offer Walvis Bay as
an alternative to Dar es Salaam
and Durban. All the links are
now in place.”
Namibian customs is also
working with the WBCG to
facilitate the movement of cargo
by creating common codes and
doing away with bond fees for
certain cargo, he says.
Zambian hauliers have seen the
opportunity and have increased
the capacity on the route by up to
200 trucks over recent months.
South African hauliers are
also opening up companies in
Zambia or buying into existing
operations in order to service the
corridor.
Namport, for its part,
continues to invest in the port of
Walvis Bay in order to support
the growing volumes.
INSERT & CAPTION
We are now focusing on
increasing truck capacity
and storage in Walvis Bay.
– Andrew Sinyangwe
INSERT
75% The increase in volumes along the corridor
over the past year.
CAPTION
The Port of Walvis Bay ... viable alternative to Dar es Salaam and Durban.
