Walvis Bay investments woo Zambian shippers

Investments by the Walvis Bay-based Manica Group Namibia have strengthened the appeal of Walvis Bay as a port of entry and exit for Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Over the past financial year the group has invested more than R21 million in additional logistics equipment and upgrading its facilities. New equipment includes a 55t crane, 45t reach stacker, side-loader, trucks, forklifts and f latbed trailers. The company is also in its final stages of implementing a computerised track-andtrace system, upgrading its telecommunication system and creating a whole new section to provide an “office-away-fromhome” facility for its marine clients, known as the Manica Business Centre. “This investment was a strategic move not only to meet the requirements of some of our clients and unusual cargo types, but also to provide other logisticsrelated services that are often outsourced. In that way we constantly improve our productivity and cost effectiveness,” says Manica Group MD, Hans-Werner Timke. One such example is the peripheral services that the warehousing arm of Manica, Rennies Consolidated, now offers its clients. These include a mobile and a fixed ramp to off load vehicles, container repair and cleaning services, packing and de-stuffing of containers and cargo inventory control – to mention a few. Rennies also obtained certification for the storage of hazardous and radioactive material such as uranium. About R5 million will be ploughed into modernising and upgrading the warehousing and depot facilities. “In other instances Manica has had to adapt to new logistics requirements, especially in the oil and gas field. With our 89 years of experience, skilled workforce and our vast infrastructure resources we have been able to adapt and stay f lexible in providing seamless, one-touch solutions – especially to the stringent demands of project freight and the oil and gas industry,” says Timke. INSERT & CAPTION New Manica Business Centre provides an ‘office-awayfrom- home’ facility for its marine clients. – Hans-Werner Timke INSERT R21m What the Manica Group invested in equipment last year. CAPTION Offloading the world’s largest tyres at Rennies in Walvis Bay.