Page 17 - Issue 22

In The News 17

Sea Rail to facilitate is a common user facility with public into inter-modal short and long distance designed to have a cold storage facility
authority status, equipped with fixed flows and Improve cargo processing with the potential to handle +/- 10,000
installations and offering services for through coordinated operations. The tons annually. The port has introduced
collection , distribution handling and temporary storage of any dry port was intended to facilitate maximum-security measures and
kind of goods (including containers) collection and distribution as well as procedures and is International Ship
carried under customs transit. This integrate Botswana and the SADC and Port Facility Security code (ISPS)
can be by any applicable mode of region with the Walvis Bay Port. In compliant. The turnaround time for
and integrate Botswana transport placed under customs control short it was to provide the catalyst container vessels is 12 to 15 hours.
and with customs and other agencies to Botswana’s growing economy by
competent to clear goods for home use, creating appropriate infrastructure, The Port of Walvis Bay is a congestion-
and the SADC region warehousing, temporary admissions, re- processes and a supportive regulatory free port with minimum delays. The
export, temporary storage for onward environment to encourage international port currently handles5 million tonnes.
trade.
Its total capacity equips it to handle 7 to
transit and outright export.
8 million tonnes of cargo. Shipping time
Background “Sea Rail has a vision to be the leading from Europe is typically 8 days faster
The Government of Botswana acquired provider of transport and logistics when going to Walvis Bay as compared
leased land of 36,233 sqm from solutions for importers and exporters to Durban. Due to the proximity to
the Namibian Government in 2009 globally by providing efficient, safe and the west, shipping costs to and from
specifically meant to put up a dry port cost effective port services,” he said. He Walvis Bay are the most competitive
facility directly connected to the Port went on to list their business product in the region. Trucking costs are very
of Walvis Bay as an alternative route offering and it included container and competitive when compared to other
for Botswana’s imports and exports. breakbulk handling, as well as Ro-Ro routes in the region. Handling fees
Subsequently the Government of Vehicle handling and project cargo are one of the most reasonable in the
Botswana gave Botswana Railways a handling. region.
mandate to develop and run the Dry
Port, which led to the establishment The Infrastructure Mr Mokgatle assured the attendees
of Sea-Rail (Botswana) (Pty) Limited The dry port is 36,200 sqm and there are that, “At Sea Rail we pride ourselves
which is registered in Namibia. The 300 parking bays which can handle 4,800 in ensuring the customers get the best
dry port infrastructure was developed cars annually. The facility is designed possible service. The management
from 2013 to 2014 and it was opened to have general warehousing as well team have an open relationship with
for operations on September 01, as the potential to develop specialize customers and our customers are seen
2014, after completion of the Dry Port warehousing. It is able to handle a as partners rather than customers.”
infrastructure combined tonnage of 80,000 tons. The
dry port has a container freight station
The overall objectives of the project which can handle 17,000 TEUs annually.
were to consolidate maritime goods Most impressive feature is that it is

Sea Rail;

working with

you,

for you

Botswana port in Namibia

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