Niël Terblanché
A 171-tonne oxygen plant on the trailer of a heavy-duty truck is weaving its way through Namibia on its way to Zambia.
The journey of the giant piece of mining equipment that was offloaded in the Walvis Bay harbour, is seen as a demonstration of Namibia’s growing importance in international trade and logistics, highlighting the capabilities of the Walvis Bay Corridors to manage the most demanding transport projects.
According to Mbahupu Tjivikua, the chief executive officer of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG), the transport of the extraordinary shipment of a 50-metre-long oxygen plant container, destined for Solwezi in Zambia is facilitated by the organisation.
He indicated that the abnormal cargo, part of a major mining project, originated in Malaysia and is being moved via a 63-metre-long truck along the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor (WBNLDC).
“This 2 900 kilometre-long route is one of the key arteries for trade between Namibia and the Zambian mining region,” he said.
The oxygen plant container is on its way to a mine in Solwezi, in Zambia’s mineral-rich North Western Province.
Tjivikua said that due to the immense size and weight of the cargo, the journey is expected to take approximately 35 days, with the truck travelling at an average speed of 20 to 40 kilometres per hour.
“To ensure the safety of other road users, the Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL) is providing an escort throughout the journey,” he said.
According to Tjivikua, this project is seen as a significant milestone for the WBCG, which has been actively marketing the Walvis Bay Corridors as the premier logistics hub for Southern Africa.
He added that the successful transportation of this abnormal cargo highlights Namibia’s capability to handle complex, oversized shipments.
“This success story is testimony to our tenacity and underscores the realisation of our business development and marketing initiatives. It highlights Namibia’s capacity to handle giant and complex cargo through the Walvis Bay Corridors,” he said.
He added that the transport of such an enormous load is a demonstration of the successful collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including the Namibian Ports Authority, freight forwarders, and the transport team.
Tjivikua expressed his gratitude to all involved parties, especially for ensuring the safety of both the cargo and road users along the WBNLDC.
“We extend our gratitude to all stakeholders involved in ensuring the safety of all road users as well as the efficient and safe movement of this cargo,” Tjivikua said.
The WBCG facilitates trade by promoting the use of Namibia’s transport corridors for transit cargo to and from the hinterland through the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz.
Tjivikua said that by managing a dedicated business development office in Lusaka, Zambia, the group continues to attract significant traffic to Namibia’s corridors which in turn provides an opportunity to showcase the safety, efficiency, and competitiveness of the routes.
According to Tjivikua, abnormal cargo, such as the oxygen plant currently in transit, is a core part of the WBCG’s strategic goals, which are aligned with boosting the region’s trade capabilities.
He said the organisation is committed to working with both public and private stakeholders to ensure that infrastructure and systems are in place to handle a wide range of oversized shipments, further enhancing Namibia’s position as a leader in Southern Africa’s logistics landscape.
