Download May-June 2009 issue - Walvis Bay Corridor Group

The leading trade route in Southern AfricaMay/June2009IN THIS ISSUE• INCREASED BUSINESS CONFIDENCEATTRACTS NEW CONTAINER LINE TO THEPORT OF WALVIS BAY• THE WALVIS BAY-NDOLA-LUBUMBASHICORRIDOR ON THE RISE• INCREASED CARGO VOLUMES ATTRACTSINTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS SERVICEPROVIDERSAND MORE….Cover Photo:Truck experiencing theTrans Cunene Corridor

2FROM THE EDITORWelcome to the third issue of our newsletter. TheWalvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG) has been proactivein terms of extending business opportunitiesas far as the DRC, by hosting the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Technical Committee, with theaim of addressing bottleneck issues along theTrans Caprivi Corridor to ensure efficiency in termsof transporting goods along the corridor. As mentionedin our previous edition, continued interest isshown in the Walvis Bay Corridors where an increasein shipping lines are calling at the Port ofWalvis Bay as it has become evident time and costsavings and efficiency is achieved.In this edition we look at how popular the Port ofWalvis Bay has become in terms of attracting moreshipping lines to the port; the outcome of theWalvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Technical Committee(WBNL) meeting that was held; SDV InternationalLogistics that opened a branch office inWalvis Bay; details into a feasibility study that wasconducted on the establishment of truck stopsalong the Walvis Bay Corridors; Walvis Bay thatwas identified as the first pilot for the Safe Communitiesproject; and a fact finding mission that wasembarked upon at the borders of Namibia and Angola;and the activities of the WBCG HIV/AIDSHelpdesk.INDEXIncreased Business Confidence AttractsNew Container Line to the Port of WalvisBay 3The Walvis Bay-NdolaNdola-LubumbashiCorridor on the Rise 4Increased Cargo Volumes AttractsInternational Logistics Service Providers 5Room for Improvement Along the TransCunene Corridor 6Truck Stops to Improve TransportInfrastructure Along the Walvis BayCorridors 7Walvis Bay Identified as the First PilotFor the Safe Communities Project 8The WBCG HIV/AIDS Help Desk DrivesThe Message Safe All the Way 9Walvis Bay Corridor Fact Sheet 10WBCG Head OfficeTel: +264 61 251669Fax: +264 61 251683Email: marketing@wbcg.com.naWBCG ZambiaTel/Fax: +260-2121-241329241329Email: wbcg@coppernet.zmWe thank our members for adding value to ournewsletter by submitting news and please feel freeto forward any comments or suggestions you mighthave.Agnetha AgnethaAgnethaWBCG South AfricaTel: +27 11 4188326Fax: +27 11 8227196/0866929537Email: wbcg@officejunction.co.zawww.wbcg.com.naThe leading trade route in southern Africa

INCREASED BUSINESS CONFIDENCE ATTRACTS NEW CONTAINERLINE TO THE PORT OF WALVIS BAYMaruba Container Lines, who are represented byNovaship Namibia ( Pty ) Ltd in Walvis Bay, a memberof the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, have announceda new feeder service which is calling at thePort of Walvis Bay. This service originates from theFar East and calls at major Chinese ports such asShanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao, Xiamen and Shekouand connects to the main ocean carrier vessel in PortKelang, Malaysia, on a weekly basis, to Durban, fortransshipment into Walvis Bay, and further onto theports of Douala, Libreville, and Port Noire. The otherports along this route will be called on an inducementbasis.Port of Walvis Bay to move the large number oftransshipment containers between the Port of WalvisBay and other ports in the region. During the pastfour years the Port of Walvis Bay has increased itsrole as a transshipment port serving the markets ofSouthern and West Africa. At the same time the Portof Walvis Bay has capitalized on the increased internationaldirect sailings to this port to grow the corridorvolumes serving the hinterland such as Angola, Botswana,Democratic Republic of the Congo, GautengRegion in South Africa, Zambia as well as Zimbabwe.3According to Maruba Container Lines, “ The importanceof Walvis Bay as an import, export and transshipmenthub to the rest of West Africa was realizeddue to well developed infrastructure of Namibia ingeneral, as well as the Port of Walvis Bay. Whenviewed in general, the Port of Walvis Bay is a leaderin delivering service and space availability for transshipmentvolumes, offering little to no congestion interms of berthing delays and cargo operations, makingit a truly cost efficient port. ”The majority of the consignments includes Chinesechemical, electronic goods, textiles destined for Angola,as well as machinery, second hand vehicles,trucks, and so forth. The Maruba feeder service is amultipurpose service, and includes break bulk andcontainers which is ideal to accommodate projectcargo.With the increase in direct shipping connections tothe Port of Walvis Bay it has become important thatmore feeder connections are being established at thePhoto: A view of a vessel docking at thePort of Walvis BayThe leading trade route in southern Africa

THE WALVIS BAY-NDOLA-LUBUMBASHI CORRIDORON THE RISE4trade; developing adequate, reliable, cost-effective,efficient and seamless transport, telecommunicationsand energy systems so that the corridor is a competitiveinvestment area; and to ensure that the developmentin the Corridor takes place in an environmentallysustainable manner.The delegates from Zambia informed the meetingthat customs clearance at Katima Mulilo has improvedand that the Zambia Revenue Authority is in aprocess of procuring scanners for all the major borderA Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Technical Committee( WBNL ) meeting was held recently at ProteaHotel Pelican Bay in Walvis Bay, Namibia. This followsthe first meeting that was held at the Governor ’s office of the Katanga Region, which took place inSeptember 2008. The objective of the tripartite meetingwas to finalise the MOU of the WBNL betweenthe Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic ofNamibia and the Republic of Zambia before it is presentedto the Committees of Permanent Secretariesand Ministers responsible for transport for their approvaland signing. The meeting was attended byinstitutions from the public and private sector from theGovernments of the Democratic Republic of Congo,Republic of Namibia and the Republic of Zambia.posts in Zambia which would assist in speedy clearingof cargo. Furthermore, the Government of theDRC approved the extension of VISAs from 7 days to14 days.The Ministry of Transport, DRC further added thatthe objectives of the TOR and MOU were to facilitatedevelopment of the Walvis Bay –Ndola – LubumbashiCorridor ( Trans Caprivi Corridor ) in order tooptimize and foster cross-border trade and Transit-Transport Cooperation among the three countries;give landlocked countries of Zambia and the DRCunimpeded access through Namibia ’ s territory tothe Port of Walvis Bay; and Develop a spatial developmentinitiative aimed at developing socio-economicareas.The purpose of the agreement is aimed at addressingbottlenecks hindering trade along the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi corridor with a view to foster increasedeconomic activity through the promotion ofThe Trans Caprivi Corridor has become the popularalternative in terms of imports and exports throughthe Port of Walvis Bay to Zambia and the DRC. Thisis evident in the fact that cargo volumes have in-The leading trade route in southern Africa

INCREASED CARGO VOLUMES ATTRACTSINTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS SERVICE PROVIDERSSDV International Logistics recently opened a branchoffice, SDV Namibia ( Pty) Ltd, a member of theWalvis Bay Corridor Group ( WBCG ) , based inWalvis Bay, with the aim of providing a logistics serviceto potential and existing clients utilizing theWalvis Bay Corridors through the Port of Walvis Bay.This follows a favourable rise in the corridor volumesto accommodate the increasing cargo volumes movingthrough the Port of Walvis Bay along the WalvisBay Corridors which is attracting more logistics serviceproviders to start operation in Namibia, specificallyin Walvis Bay.The WBCG has observed a remarkable number oftransporters operating on the Walvis Bay Corridorsthrough the Port of Walvis Bay to and from southernAfrica. With the Port of Walvis Bay planning to investover N$1.3 billion in its master plan which includesthe erection of additional container terminals, purchasingmore handling equipment and increasing theberthing capacity of the port, this is bound to increasethe cargo volumes even further along the Walvis BayCorridors, and as a result additional service providersare necessary to handle the increased capacity.Along with the plans for the port to upgrade and expand,the Walvis Bay Corridors are committed to facilitatetrade along the corridors, to offer the existingand potential users of the corridors a faster and pilferagefree transit to and from southern Africa, throughthe Port of Walvis Bay.SDV International Logistics is a worldwide-knownand-leadinggroup, specializing in international freightforwarding, transportation and logistics. They arealso based in Durban, Johannesburg, Port Elizabethand Cape Town and maintain a close relationshipwith major operators of the international transportationwhich is beneficial to the Walvis Bay CorridorGroup in terms of attracting more importers and exportersto utilize the Walvis Bay Corridors via the Portof Walvis Bay.5Photo: Cargo being offloadedPhoto: Port ViewThe leading trade route in southern Africa

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT ALONG THE TRANS CUNENECORRIDOR6boasting an average of 136 trucks moving cargoalong this corridor. 70% of the total shipments destinedfor Angola through the Port of Walvis Bay constitutesvehicles, which proves to be the most viabletrade route to utilize.Representatives from the Walvis Bay Corridor Group( W BCG ) as well as from the transport industry,recently embarked upon a fact finding mission at theborders between Namibia and Angola. The purposeof the mission was to identify tariff and non-tarifftrade barriers or issues that hamper smooth tradefacilitation ( customs, immigration, law enforcement,etc. ) ; to identify bottlenecks and congestions alongthe Trans Cunene Corridor ( TcuC ) ; to identify newand important infrastructure to be erected to supporttrade facilitation; observe the level of trade activitieshappening in the area; to propose interventions tomitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS; to observe roadsafety and transport security issues; to observe thestate of the infrastructure and to build relations withthe stakeholders and relevant agencies.Despite, the economic slowdown, cargo volumesalong the TcuC that links the Port of Walvis Bay tothe southern part of Angola, still shows a significantincrease by more than 33000 tonnes, in May 2009 ascompared to an average of 18000 tonnes, in May2008.Photo: A view of a truck at theOnhuno Weighbridge( Namibia side )Because of the increased demand to utilise the TcuCthrough the Port of Walvis Bay, it is deemed necessaryto address operational issues to further increasethe use of the TcuC, and to make the use of this corridora seamless process. It is apparent that theTcuC has become a popular alternative, through thePort of Walvis Bay for cargo destined for Angola,Photo:Trucks at theOshikango BorderThe leading trade route in southern Africa

TRUCK STOPS TO IMPROVE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTUREALONG THE WALVIS BAY CORRIDORSThe Walvis Bay Corridor Group ( WBCG ) in conjunctionwith the Worcester Polytechnic Institute( W PI ) , Massachusetts, USA, conducted a feasibilitystudy recently on the establishment of truck stopsalong the Walvis Bay Corridors. The purpose for thestudy was to determine which services are deemednecessary available to truck drivers utilizing theWalvis Bay Corridors and to determine strategic locationsfor the truck stops along the corridors. With theincrease in traffic along the corridors it has becomeimperative to further improve the transport infrastructurealong the Walvis Bay Corridors, by establishingtrucks stops and upgrading existing ones to ensure acomfortable and safe environment for the truck driversand their consignments, whilst resting. In addition,the study was conducted to determine whichexisting service stations could potentially be convertedinto truck stops.The concept to establish truck stops resulted from thelack of full-service truck stops in Namibia. Currentlytruck drivers have to stop at multiple locations tosleep, eat a full meal, shower, or get general healthcare services when travelling long distances. Withthe absence of these facilities, the Walvis Bay Corridorsbecome challenging to travel along these vastdistances between urban settlements. Furthermore,according to the study the establishment of truckstops at the main borders of the Walvis Bay Corridorsand other key locations would make it a viable optionfor the effective use of these truck stops. Based onthe surveys the interviews pointed out the need forenvisaged full-service truck stops to feature the followingrange of services, inter alia, shower facilities,adequate ablution facilities, take-ways, conveniencestores, diesel fuel, maintenance garage, leisure facilities,wellness centres, banking ( ATMs ) , restaurants,bed & breakfast facilities and pay phones.Secured parking should be a key imperative atthese truck stops to safeguard the truck, deter theftof diesel fuel from the truck and more importantlythe consignments being transported.With the envisaged expansion of the Port of WalvisBay and the anticipated increase in traffic, it is imperativeto ensure that truck stops help us mitigatesafety and security issues along the Walvis BayCorridors.The establishment of robust truck stops along ourtrade routes will not only benefit the investors, financialstakeholders and local municipalities butwill have economic spin-offs such as job creationas well as supporting the informal sectors andother entrepreneurs. Henceforth, WBCG supportsthe establishment of truck stops along the WalvisBay Corridors as a matter of priority.Photo: Proposed Layoutof a truck stop7The leading trade route in southern Africa

WALVIS BAY IDENTIFIED AS THE FIRST PILOT FOR THESAFE COMMUNITIES PROJECT8Walvis Bay has been identified as the first pilot for theSafe Communities Project in Namibia, being the thirdAfrican country to embrace this initiative. The purposeof this concept is to promote social stabilityamongst community members and to reduce thecrime rate, amongst others, which involves the communityactually taking the lead in this project. SafeCommunities concept has been developed by theWorld Health Organisation ( WHO ) and will be directedby Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Swedenin collaboration with the Municipality of Walvis Bay.With the increased volumes moving through the Portof Walvis Bay along the Walvis Bay Corridors, “ ithas become imperative to ensure that the businessand social environment in Walvis Bay provides thenecessary safe environment for community members..” , says Hippy Tjivikua, Project Manager for theSafe Trade Transport Corridors of the Walvis BayCorridor Group.With the Safe Community initiative the leading role isplayed by the community itself which means that thecommunity is involved in a well planned approach ofcarrying out this concept. Hippy further stated that,“ C reative methods of education and environmentalchange joined with appropriate legislation and enforcementare an important beginning for the safetyof the community. No single approach is sufficient forchanging existing behavior patterns. It is for this reasonthat the media, schools and companies can bevery powerful tools in heightening public awareness” .Korea, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, Canada,the USA, and Colombia, and now recently inWalvis Bay.The Safe Communities concept began its formalexistence at the First World Conference on Accidentand Injury Prevention held in Stockholm, Swedenin September 1989. The Manifesto for SafeCommunities, the resolution of the conference,states that “ All human beings have an equal rightto health and safety ” . This is a fundamental aspectof the WHO Health for All Strategy and for theWHO Global Programme on Accident Preventionand Injury Control. This premise has led to communityaction around the world; actions leading toSafe Communities.The Safe Community initiative currently exist in SouthAfrica, Uganda, Sweden, Czech Republic, China,The leading trade route in southern Africa

THE WBCG HIV/AIDS HELP DESK DRIVES THEMESSAGE SAFE ALL THE WAYThe WBCG HIV/AIDS HELP DESK in its quest tofacilitate the implementation of comprehensive HIV/AIDS – Wellness workplace programmes conductedHIV/AIDS information sessions for employees fromsix ( 6 ) transport companies during the last twomonths. The sessions were conducted on site andhave attracted about 235 employees including truckdrivers. The awareness sessions were preceded byhalf day peer educators who received their first traininglast year. Peer educators are regarded as thebackbone of any workplace programme as they interactmore easily with their fellow colleagues at work.Thus, the help desk will continue to build their capacityand equip them with adequate and accurate HIV/AIDS related information and materials so that theycan in turn build the capacity of their peers at work.It is also apparent that employees spend much oftheir daily lives at work and therefore we believe thata considerable dosage of HIV/AIDS related informationspread at the workplace will keep the minds ofthe employees refreshed in terms of preventing infectionsand living positively with HIV. Therefore, thelikelihood that they will share this information withtheir families can also not be overruled.Companies that are at liberty of discussing the topicof HIV/AIDS at the workplace not only demonstratesa sense of caring for their most valuable assets butalso portraits a positive corporate image with a soundknowledge of business principles.The HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is considered to behigh in the transport sector, with migrant workerssuch as truck drivers being particularly at risk. Thereare currently no recorded statistics regarding theprevalence rate of HIV/AIDS within the transportsector, however, according to the Sentinel Surveyof 2008, “ The epidemic appears to be centeredaround pockets in the central, north, north east,west and south where mobile populations are mostlikely to take temporary residence as a rust of mining,tourism, agricultural and fishing activities andborder entry/exit points. ”Increased absenteeism, the loss of skilled workers,loss of tacit knowledge and reduced morale amongco-workers have a negative impact on the growthof business opportunities. In an effort to help reducethe accumulated costs and extent of the pandemic,the WBCG HIV/AIDS Help Desk with thefinancial support of the German Agency for TechnicalCooperation ( GTZ ) also provides managementtrainings tailored to those in managerial positions.Management support remains one of themost important elements and is critical to the successof an effective HIV/AIDS -Wellness workplaceprogramme in any organization.It is with this in mind, that the Walvis Bay CorridorGroup launched the HIV/AIDS Help Desk in an effortto facilitate the implementation of the comprehensiveworkplace programmes for the Namibiantransport industry. The challenge here goes tothose transport companies who still have not joinedthe approach, to seriously consider doing so nowand not to wait until the last minute before they realizehow serious the effects of this dreadful pandemicare.9The leading trade route in southern Africa

WALVIS BAY CORRIDOR FACT SHEETTRANS KALAHARI CORRIDOR1010 The TKC is a well maintained tarred road ( highway ) stretching over adistance of 1,800km. It links the Port of Walvis Bay to Botswana ’ scapital, Gaborone, and the heartland of South Africa’ s industrial capital,Gauteng. The Trans-Kalahari Corridor is perfectly positioned to servicethe two-way trade between South Africa, Botswana, Europe, theAmericas and the Far East. The Trans Kalahari Corridor links up withthe Maputo Corridor providing a coast-to-coast transport and trade corridoralong the entire breadth of southern Africa. The infrastructure supportingthe Trans Kalahari Corridor has been steadily developed and boasts the most efficient intermodal blueprintfor the region, incorporating the ports, air, tarred road and rail networks, as well as automated border postcustoms procedures. This corridor allows for 48 hours transit ( of goods ) from the Port of Walvis Bay toGauteng, and vice-versa.Distance Table:LocationDistance fromWalvis BayTransitTimeWindhoek, Namibia 384km 1 dayGobabis, Namibia 605km 2 daysGaborone, Botswana 1,366km 2 daysJohannesburg, South Africa 1,900km 2 daysFrancistown, Botswana 1,781km 3 daysThe Walvis Bay Corridor Group was established to promote and develop business for the Walvis Bay Corridorsand Ports. It acts as a service and facilitation centre to coordinate international trade with SADC countries throughthe Port of Walvis Bay. The Corridors are an integrated approach that accommodates all modes of transport fromthe Port of Walvis Bay along well-maintained systems of rail networks and tarred roads.GovernmentDepartments:Investment Centre,Customs & Excise,Transport,ImmigrationIf you would like to be added to the electronic newsletter distribution list, kindly contact:Agnetha MoutonEmail: agnetha@wbcg.com.naThe leading trade route in southern Africa