Shippers and receivers of goods in and out of Zambia are advised to be f lexible about the routes they use because the conditions on the ground and the ports serving the country are constantly changing, according to Nancy Mulenga, director at Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Zambia.MSC offers through bill of lading (TBL) and port-to-port booking services for Zambian shippers and receivers.Its vessels call regularly at all the ports servicing the Zambian market.“As a result, we are able to tailor-make ocean and landside logistics services, depending on the needs of the cargo owners.”Mulenga has headed up the MSC operations in Zambia for the past year and has seen a shift in the traffic along the different corridors serving the country.“We have seen a shift in traffic to Walvis Bay, which shippers prefer because it is a one-border-post route, with a relatively short inland transit time.“But, all the ports have their pros and cons which need to be considered prior to finalising routing choice, for which MSC can provide input and logistics guidance.“When we engage with customers, we determine whether their priority is price or efficiency,” she says.Factors to consider include the vessel availability and scheduling, the reliability of transporters on the corridors, and possible border delays. Another challenge – which is global at present – is the availability of containers.It is a careful balancing act.Zambia’s biggest export by volume is copper, most of which moves as breakbulk, which means that containers used for imports can stand empty as, for the most part, export commodities are transported in bulk to ports of load and packed at point of exit.“We are working around the challenges by repositioning containers to meet the needs of importers and exporters.“Many merchants are also turning around containers with their own cargo.”MSC has moved closer to its customers in Lusaka, with new premises nearer the central business area. “The move will enable us to work more closely with our customers, particularly post-Covid,” she says. "We have seen a shift in traffic to Walvis Bay, which shippers prefer because it is a one-border-post route.– Nancy Mulenga
