Walvis Bay – a boom town in the making
From How We Made It In Africa, 14 March 2016
Namibia’s port city of Walvis Bay is experiencing rapid growth and offering numerous opportunities to a variety of businesses, says Kevin Phillips, country manager of DHL Express Namibia.
Namibia wants to position Walvis Bay as a trade hub for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. The city is already linked to a number of African countries – including Botswana, Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo – through four major transport routes: the Trans-Kalahari, Trans-Cunene, Trans-Oranje, and Trans-Caprivi corridors.
The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) has started with a programme to boost the port’s capacity. A new container terminal, to be built on land reclaimed from the ocean, is expected to be completed next year. Another project is the construction of an oil tanker jetty and petroleum products storage facility. In addition, rail and road infrastructure are also being improved.
“Walvis Bay is establishing itself to handle freight to and from the SADC region. Geographically it is in a very good location, especially for trade with Europe. The government is definitely looking at Walvis Bay as a key catalyst for growth,’’ notes Phillips.
He says in the past year, DHL Express Namibia has seen a steady rise in shipment volumes to and from the Walvis Bay area, driven primarily by the fishing, oil and gas, and tourism industries.
The waters surrounding Walvis Bay has attracted many fishing companies, and the fisheries sector is currently one of Namibia’s major exporters. The port features numerous landing quays for fishing boats, and companies like Etosha Fishing and Hangana operate local seafood factories.
Walvis Bay is also an important player in the oil and gas industry. Due to its relatively close proximity to the offshore oil fields on the west coast of Africa, the port is responsible for repairing many of the industry’s support vessels. In addition, Walvis Bay is a base for offshore oil and gas exploration activities in southern Africa. However, the current low crude price does pose risks as oil and gas companies curtail their activities.
Tourism is another sector with promising potential, supported by the development of new tourist facilities and a growing number of international visitors due to the weakening of the local currency. The town of Swakopmund (40km from Walvis Bay) is already a well-known tourist destination. According to Phillips, the stretch between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund could be completely built-up in the next five years. In Walvis Bay itself, the authorities are also looking to attract tourists with the development of a new waterfront and marina.
Phillips explains increased commercial and tourism activity in Walvis Bay and the surrounding area is creating business opportunities for industries such as retail. Close to the airport, property companies Atterbury and Safland are currently developing the Dunes Mall, which will be anchored by supermarket group Shoprite. There is also the proposed Desert Rose real estate project between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund that, if approved, will feature a convention and exhibition centre, hotel, shopping mall, office space and a golf course.
“I think in the coming years Walvis Bay and the coastal region will go from strength to strength. It’s certainly exciting times,” adds Phillips.
Source: http://www.howwemadeitinafrica.com/walvis-bay-a-boom-town-in-the-making/53741/
Guardfreight’s E-Containerlock tipped to save billions
From Logistics Update, 8 April 2015
A Midland company has launched an innovative locking device which aims to put a stop to the scourge of theft from shipping containers – a practice which is estimated to cost around £54 billion each year.
E-Containerlock has been developed by Droitwich-based Guardfreight and can be fitted to all types of shipping containers, roller shutter doors, trailer barn doors and bulk liquid tankers. The device, which has been developed by Guardfreight directors Andrew Harrison and Wayne Cressman, overcomes several security flaws experienced by conventional locks. It also features a unique, in-built GPRS tracking system that provides location updates and immediate alerts if entry is forced.
The product has just completed nine months of rigorous testing and global trials, with more than 300 journeys across the US, Asia, Africa, South America and Europe made with E-Containerlock fitted. Pre-release interest has seen a number of devices delivered and trialled by potential customers from the US and Mexico to Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Explaining its benefits, Harrison said: “There are numerous ways of breaking into shipping containers, taking the contents and then closing them so it doesn’t look like they’ve been tampered with.
And although the device was created purely for shipping containers, other potential uses are already being explored. Government revenue authorities have expressed interest with view to clamping down on tax evasion caused by companies or individuals not declaring the transportation of transported goods through their provinces, regions or countries. Guardfreight also believe its system could be used for tackling illegal immigrants, as the operator will know the moment a lock on any trailer or even a curtainside has been breached.
Cressman said: “The trials have gone really well and we are already using the results to effectively market the product to resellers, governments and intermodal freight specialist Customers can buy the E-Containerlock as a one-off purchase or alternatively they can take out a licensing agreement where they pay a monthly fee and then use it as and when is required.
Source: http://www.logupdateafrica.com/index.php/guardfreights-e-containerlock-tipped-to-save-billions/
Hefty fees await non-compliant consignors
From Transport World Africa, 5 June 2015
Consignors and any company involved in the transport of cargo, whether general freight, refrigerated or dangerous goods by road, rail or water, in any form of container, trailer, tanker or rail car, will be required by law to implement and adhere to the new IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU).
Compliance requires contents to be firmly secured to prevent movement when transported, particularly under turbulent conditions, as well as a stable distribution of weight (within the weight limitations) inside the container prior to sealing and shipping the consignment.
The new regulations for the verification of container weight will come into effect in July 2016. This means that the consignor, in other words, the company responsible for packing the contents, will be liable for all the costs associated to any damage incurred should an incident occur while the cargo is in transport.
These essential compliance issues were discussed by industry leaders from all over the world at the recent CTU Packing Roadshow in Durban.
Captain Richard Brough from London, Director of the International Cargo Handling Coordination Association (ICHCA – an NGO association representing the interests of the global cargo handling industry), spoke about the consequences of incorrectly secured contents and miss-declared cargo weights and how in-depth research conducted resulted in the amendment of the Code to further enforce proper securing and weight restrictions on cargo transportation.
“Container weight verification is crucial as part of this whole process; being a tonne or so out on your calculations can have devastating effects and cause major accidents and losses. With these new measures, it is hoped that high impact incidents will be significantly reduced if not eradicated.”
Justin Reynolds from the International Maritime Insurance company TT Club added that “Disastrous transport incidents are often a result of a domino effect following a single cause, whether its weight, packing or securing related. It’s therefore exceptionally important that we encourage behavioural change through regulations at all levels of the supply chain, to reduce loss and serious liability.”
Representatives from South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) and the Department of Transport endorsed the need for greater awareness, implementation and compliance by South African industries to reduce incidents in all modes of transport. The next stage is to create awareness about the availability of the amended CTU Code and weight verification regulations and to train staff appropriately, which will result in improved compliance and fewer incidents.
The extensively revised and upgraded IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of CTUs was approved in January 2014 by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and United Nations Economic Council for Europe (UNECE) Transport Committee, and in November by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), thereby protecting workers loading the cargo and also preventing accidents during transport. Companies involved in any form of CTU logistics must comply with the new Code this year and the weight verification regulations by July 2016.
The event was organised for ICHCA by, and in partnership with the Responsible Packaging Management Association of Southern Africa (RPMASA), followed by a one-day International Maritime Dangerous Goods Training (IMDG) session.
Source: http://www.transportworldafrica.co.za/2015/06/05/hefty-fees-await-non-compliant-consignors/
