Zimbabwe crisis causes empty box shortage

Alan Peat A SERIOUS shortage of empty containers in Zimbabwe is spilling its effects over into neighbouring states, particularly Zambia, according to Adrian Friend, director of Celtic Freight. "Shipping lines are now reducing their stock requirements, or moving their containers out of Zimbabwe," he told FTW. "Containers for Zimbabwe turn-in are not available from the container lines at all now." This, he added, is a good barometer of Zimbabwe's parlous state in import and export trade. "Hire containers are available," Friend added. "But the cost is indeterminable Ð as exactly how long does it take to get the container back to Johannesburg, let alone to find a haulier prepared to lose the return load to bring the container back?" This Zimbabwe trade drop-off Ð and its accompanying shortage of empty boxes Ð is affecting its neighbours. "Container lines, for example, are charging huge deposits and demurrage for containers going into Central Africa. "Also, the container cabotage industry to Harare has always traditionally serviced the Zambian imports as trucks deliver cargo to Zambia, and turn in the empty container in Harare." This, according to Friend's market assessment, has led to hundreds of tons of Zambian cargo sitting in SA waiting for a box. To solve the problem, Celtic has assembled its own fleet of 35 containers, rotated with its Lusaka and Copperbelt depots in Zambia. "There's no per day hire charge," said Friend, "and only a nominal empty turn in fee. "Containers being a seasonal problem is now a thing of the past with this infrastructure. They are now available all year round."