Walvis Bay has become a more attractive gateway for Zambian and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) imports and exports since a Zambian dry port facility has become operational within the boundaries of the Walvis Bay port itself, says Africa Union Cargo marketing and sales manager Traolach Moylan.
“The Africa Union Cargo/ Zambia Dry Port represents an opportunity for Zambia to diversify from its traditional dependence on the ports of Dares-Salaam and Durban and to make use of a west coast port that is closer to the European and American customers and suppliers,” he says.
“We feel that with the security issues, infrastructure problems and delays in other ports and corridors, Walvis Bay is by far the best route for all businesses to utilise.
“It is important to note that, although the facility is referred to as the ‘Zambia Dry Port’, it has the potential to deliver the benefits of route diversity to other central African countries”. It offers a range of logistics, warehousing and multimodal transport options. There is a direct rail link into the Zambia Dry Port.
“We offer a one-stop service for shipping, road and rail transport. “The focus is on handling import and export cargo mainly for landlocked countries around the Trans-Caprivi Corridor (Zambia, southern DRC, Western Zimbabwe, Namibia and parts of southern Angola).
“We have concentrated on forming strong relationships with the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, Namport, Haut Katanga Regional Government, and both the Namibian and Zambian governments to promote the Walvis Bay – Ndola – Lubumbashi corridor as the fastest, safest, most practical and economical route for Zambian and southern DRC businesses to utilise.
“We also work hand in hand with the Zambian ambassador in Windhoek, Namibia and the High Commissioner Stella Libongani in the promotion of this route and port,” he says.
The dry port has the potential to deliver the benefits of route diversity to other central African countries. – Traolach Moylan
