Download May-June 2009 issue - Walvis Bay Corridor Group

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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
Page 1 and 2: The leading trade route in Southern
Page 3 and 4: INCREASED BUSINESS CONFIDENCE ATTRA
Page 5: INCREASED CARGO VOLUMES ATTRACTSINT
Page 9 and 10: THE WBCG HIV/AIDS HELP DESK DRIVES

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