With increasing copper production and demand for critical minerals, Walvis Bay is solidifying its role as a key logistics gateway for the Copperbelt region.
“We’ve seen a sharp rise in enquiries for cargo movement through Walvis Bay – minerals outbound for export and reagents inbound for Copperbelt mines,” said Kevin Changoo, director at Pindulo Logistics.
To support this growing demand, Pindulo Logistics has expanded its operations, opening back-of-port consolidation facilities and implementing an automated weighbridge system.
“These upgrades allow us to warehouse mixed loads from multiple customers, dramatically reducing turnaround times,” he told Freight News.
This surge in activity aligns with Zambia’s ambitious strategy to ramp up copper production to three million tonnes by 2031.
“There’s a clear shift from ad hoc shipments to contractual, just-in-time transport models, underpinned by digital tools such as realtime telematics and automated documentation,” said Changoo.
“Rising demand for critical minerals like copper, cobalt, zinc and lithium is accelerating investment in mining, exploration and transport infrastructure.
"The shift is reshaping freight logistics across the reg ion.”
He said persistent congestion at the Kasumbalesa border, power shortages in Zambia limiting mine output, poor road and rail infrastructure, as well as security risks, remained a major challenge.
“There is also still an imbalance between outbound exports and inbound freight volumes that continues to constrain efficiency and drive up costs.”
- Read the rest of this article in our Freight Features edition on "The Copperbelt."
