Copper and cobalt shipments, mainly out of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), would continue to grow over the coming years because of global demand, said Scott Nisbet of Reload Logistics.Because of ever-increasing mining activity in the DRC’s Haut Katanga province, where about 70% of the world’s cobalt is mined, and where about 20 new extraction pits are planned for Kolwezi to the west of Lubumbashi, Reload planned to expand its services in the DRC, the freight executive said.Nisbet, who has more than 20 years of management experience in the southern African logistics industry, and who recently took the reins at A van der Walt Transport (AvdW), one of Namibia’s leading road freight operations, said progressive developments were in store for the movement of crucial cargo across the sub-Saharan hinterland.“It’s an honour to take over the day-to-day running of AvdW. “We have an experienced team that has been with Andre van der Walt for many years and I look forward to taking the company to even greater heights.”Nisbet, who started in the sector in 2003 in Tanzania, and has experience of working in both the Zambian and DRC transport markets, said Reload’s top priority in the region was to expand its footprint.Focusing on the wider region, especially on how route networks link up important ports with the Copperbelt, he said he agreed with Andre that the infrastructure of roads would be very important for improving the Walvis Bay corridor.“Without key improvements in Zambia on the Sesheke/Kazungula stretch and the Kasumbalesa border into the DRC, we will continue to see delays and bottlenecks which will only lead to increased rates due to decreased efficiencies.“For us to succeed, we need the public and private partnerships to work together as one and improve the routes.”
