Walvis dry port will open new opportunities for Botswana

The Port of Walvis Bay is making a name for itself in Botswana where the country is set to open a dry port after being awarded land recently.With a memorandum of understanding signed in 2008 for the 50-year lease of the land in Namibia, the official announcement of who the operators will be is expected to be made before the end of the year. In the meantime freight forwarders and transporters in Botswana have welcomed the move saying the port is proving to be efficient, reliable and fast. “We are definitely seeing an increase in people using the port,” said Mark Thompson, managing director of UTi Botswana. “It is becoming a preferred port and offers Botswana the opportunity to establish itself as the gateway into Africa via Walvis Bay.” With the Port of Durban battling congestion and cargo having to rely on expensive road freight, the Walvis Bay port is a welcome alternative, according to Oduetse ‘Od’ Makgane, chairman of the Botswana Freight Forwarders’ Association. “It is extremely efficient and has less congestion with no berthing issues. It makes sense to use it and it is starting to be favoured.” Modiri Ntuane, sales and marketing manager of Gaborone Container Terminal, who recently opened a second branch in Phelape, said there was much excitement around the dry port for Botswana, but also about Walvis Bay’s port in general. “It is on the right track and we can see great things in the making. We believe this is going to lead to much opportunity for business in Botswana.”