Zambia dominates Walvis Bay transit cargo

The Zambian market dominated transit cargo in 2017, accounting for 51.8% of inbound cargo, an increase from 47.9% in 2016, the Namibia State of Logistics Report for 2018 shows.

The report, launched by the Walvis Bay Corridor Group on Monday, shows logistics performance and assesses policy impacts to compare development over time.

The Port of Walvis Bay handled 93.1% of total cargo transiting to and from neighbouring countries in 2017.

The report indicated that Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Botswana were the main import and export markets for transit cargo volumes.

Increase

Volumes increased by 6 159 metric tonnes or 9% from 66 769 metric tonnes in September 2016 to 72 928 metric tonnes recorded in September 2018.

“The capacity of the Port of Walvis Bay is expected to increase as a result of ongoing investment projects. Thus, greater attention is required in managing international logistics sustainably to ensure that Namibia could become a logistics nation for the SADC region by 2025,” the report stated.

Likely areas of growth in 2019 include progress in deepening the Botswana-Namibia rail link framework, the anticipated start of South African manganese exports through the Port of Lüderitz, growth in throughput to and from Zambia comprising of copper (export) and frozen foods (import) and anticipated increase in transit volumes destined to Zimbabwe, the report added.

“Because both countries do not have seaports, they have to seek the most advantageous gateways for most of their imports and exports, thus creating the strongest interaction between the port and Zambia,” the report added. - Nampa