700 logistics trucks impacted by Zambian bridge collapse

The Walvis Bay Corridor Group says 700 SADC truck drivers have been forced to take alternative routes to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after heavy rainfalls destroyed a key bridge at at the Kasumbalesa Border Post in Zambia on Sunday.

Despite Zambian authorities temporarily fixing the Kakoso Bridge within 48 hours, local companies are already feeling the pinch.

The bridge collapse delayed transportation of mining inputs, fuel, and mineral exports such as copper and cobalt to and from the DRC, and the trade flow across the the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The high traffic border post receives 1 500 truck movements per day with 700 from SADC.

Some logistics companies yesterday told The Namibian that on top of the N$150 000 they spend on fuel and tollgate charges, they were forced to cough up additional funds for using alternative routes.

Corridor group spokesperson Maria Paulus told The Namibian yesterday that the temporary disruption has significantly affected the daily movements of over 1 400 trucks on the Zambia-DRC trade route.

She said the damage caused immediate diversions, longer travel times, higher fuel and operational costs for transporters.

“Although the temporary road and detour is now operational, we anticipate that some delays may still occur as traffic flow stabilises. Due to the traffic progressively returning to the main corridor, we would like to urge transporters using the Mukambo route to still exercise caution, especially, during the rainy season due to poor road conditions that may pose a safety risk to heavily loaded trucks,” she said.

She added that the group will continue to monitor developments along the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor, as well as other corridors to strengthen trade facilitation measures and minimise disruptions and bottlenecks.

BARGAINING RIGHTS

Namibian Revolutionary Transport and Manufacturing Union leader Petersen Kambinda says the collapsed bridge has placed pressure on truck drivers and owners to find alternative routes, increasing fuel costs and subsistence and travel (S&T).

“Our main concern is the after effects because it now means that our people who were already on route will either remain somewhere where they need more S&T to wait until an alternative route has been made, or more fuel for them to take the alternative routes,” he says.

Kambinda says the delay in logistics could soon affect negotiations between trucking companies and the union on improving drivers’ working conditions, as funds were depleted to cover alternative routes.

CBM Logistics Marlene Strong says transport disruption increases the already high cost that logistics companies spent on fuel and tollgate fees for the transportation of goods to DRC through Zambia.

“There is a high expense on the transport business. Our drivers transport the goods to DRC and back within two to three weeks. It cost us N$150 000 for fuel and tollgate fees. When drivers return we have to invoice and wait for payment. A day off impacts us,” she said.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.