Port of Walvis Bay handles huge consignments from Nampark

The Walvis Bay Corridor Group reached another milestone after successfully handling a  consignment originating from Sweden and destined for Lusaka in Zambia, on behalf of Nampak, Africa’s largest packaging company.
The shipment consisted of a total of 600 tons of paper reel and proceeded by road along the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor.
What was so historic about the shipment was apart from it being the first-ever shipment by Nampak using the Port of Walvis Bay, the first part of the shipment arrived in Zambia within three days.
According to Michelle Kirov, marketing director of Trade Ocean Shipping Namibia – the company that facilitated the shipment – it was extremely urgent for the shipment to arrive in Zambia at the shortest time possible, due to stock depletion and a possible complete halt in production, hence the commitment to handle this consignment with speed and efficiency.
“It definitely paves the way for future shipments to be handled successfully via this corridor. The cooperation between all parties concerned in a near crisis situation proved to be very successful in attaining this achievement,” said Kirov.
Johny Smith, CEO of Walvis Bay Corridor Group said: “This is a significant milestone for the Walvis Bay Corridor Group as this is a clear indication of the increased business confidence that importers and exporters have shown in utilising the trade route. With more direct shipping calls, high efficiencies, reducing transit time, and strategic partners to ensure that consumers in the Southern Africa Development Community region receive a great product every time.”
By using the Walvis Bay port,  instead of the previous port, which was on the east coast of southern Africa, Nampak reduced their supply chain by more than 14 days.
 “We believe this is paving the way for other similar shipments and companies who want to add value to the supply chain in the future,” Smith added.