Zimbabwe election well timed for transport industry

Rail increase likely to push more cargo to road Alan Peat THE DATE of the Zimbabwe election (March 9) is a convenient choice for the road freight industry with many concerned at the possibly hazardous time that lies ahead, according to Simon Avis, m.d. of Nomad Freight. "That's quite convenient timing," he told FTW. "The tobacco has mostly gone now, and cotton exports are only due to start at the end of March. "So there will be fewer trucks on the roads because the election falls between two main crops." Avis also feels that the concerns held by many might be unfounded. "The troubles, if any, are likely to be in the rural areas with police and military control expected in the cities. "So trucks on the main roads should be OK." But there is a busy time ahead, he added, although there is as yet no indication when that will start. "Everyone is waiting for the aid cargoes of wheat and maize to start going north but little has moved so far," he said. But when it starts, it's likely to be a large volume. "People talk different numbers but it's probably in terms of half-a-million tons. "When that starts moving, it will make a big difference in the up-movement of trucks." This will also be driven by another factor. "The NRZ (National Railways of Zimbabwe) has just announced a rates increase of between 30% and 40%," said Avis. "So people are putting a lot more cargo on road transport." The result of all this will be a surplus of empty equipment in Zimbabwe. "They'll then be looking for backloads in Zimbabwe, or moving to the neighbouring states to find return loads," Avis added.