• Home
  • About us
  • Software Solutions
    • PALFARM
    • PALPACK
    • PALSTORE
    • PALPORT
    • PALBROKER
    • PALINFO
    • VENN4Warehouse
  • Services
  • News
  • Contact
  • Login
    • Helpdesk
    • Downloads
Facebook Instagram Linkedin
  • Home
  • About us
  • Software Solutions
    • PALFARM
    • PALPACK
    • PALSTORE
    • PALPORT
    • PALBROKER
    • PALINFO
    • VENN4Warehouse
  • Services
  • News
  • Contact
  • Login
    • Helpdesk
    • Downloads
Facebook Instagram Linkedin

Walvis Bay in Namibia plays key role in early Southern African grape exports

8 December 2023 /Posted byherodigital / 0

Logistics company GoGlobal finds new solutions for South African and Namibian grape growers as problems in Cape Town continue.

An early season experiment by South African logistics operator GoGlobal, in association with shipping line MSC, to ship Namibian and South African grapes through the port of Walvis Bay in Namibia has been a success.

Around 70 containers have been loaded in the port and are due to arrive in the UK and Europe next week.

“MCS has agreed to include Walvis Bay in their schedule to replace Cape Town,” said Delena Engelbrecht, CEO of GoGlobal. “With their call at the port of Ngura along the South African Eastern coast, it allows us two opportunities to load on a weekly basis. The first loading at Walvis Bay went extremely well and there were no delays.”

On average last season delays of ten days were experienced in Cape Town. “We simply had to find new solutions to get grapes without delay to the market,” she said

The operation through Walvis Bay was more expensive than getting the grapes to Cape Town for shipment.

“It is around 1,600 kilometres from Aussenkehr in southern Namibia and for exporters from the Orange River it is even further,” Engelbrecht continued. ”It is also costly to transfer containers to the Eastern Cape, but hopefully we will see the results in good arrival condition.”

From southern Namibia and the Orange River, containers are moved by road via Keetmanshoop and Windhoek to the west coast port of Walvis Bay.

“These first operations went off without a hitch and we are all pleased,” she confirmed. ”Naturally, we would want Cape Town Container Terminal to operate properly, to achieve the most cost-effective logistics chain.”

The first specialised reefer vessel of the season, carrying stonefruit and grapes, has also loaded successfully at the FPT berth in Cape Town and has already sailed to Europe.

Regular specialised reefers are expected to sail on a weekly basis from early January, carrying South African stonefruit and grapes.

The industry has been forced into making logistical changes due to ongoing problems at Cape Town’s container terminal, resulting in backlogs and delays.

Shipping lines have increasingly bypassed Cape Town to avoid delays in their schedules.

In trade negotiations between South Africa and Namibia, the two countries’ agricultural ministers decided to step up cooperation, with greater use of Walvis Bay being singled out to service the grape industry specifically.

Reference Link, Fruitnet News Article Link

Share Post
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • VK
  • Pinterest
  • Mail to friend
  • Linkedin
  • Whatsapp
  • Skype
Cape fruit industry suffers fr...
United Exports runs literacy c...

Related posts

Read more

International Blueberry Organization Summit 2025 attracts 575 participants from 32 countries to South Africa

Three-day event in South Africa showcased the country’s production potential while addressing key industry challenges including trade, sustainability, genetics, and logistics, with four countries already... Continue reading
Read more

South African supplier Tru-Cape reports highest ever Pink Lady apple packout with 75 per cent qualification rate

The South African supplier says targeted investment and precision orchard management have helped growers unlock the full potential of Pink Lady apples, with European demand... Continue reading
Read more

South African stonefruit sector anticipates good season while navigating US tariffs and new Chinese market access

With early peaches and nectarines now being harvested, the industry shows signs of recovery after difficult years, but must navigate 30 per cent US tariffs... Continue reading
Read more

Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum names Piet de Jager as CEO replacing Anton Kruger

After 14 years of leadership under Anton Kruger, South Africa’s Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum welcomes new chief executive with strong background in agricultural strategy and... Continue reading
Read more

South African citrus industry announces early end to European export season as goodwill gesture

Final Valencia orange inspections set for 20 September as South Africa reports exceptional demand and projects export volumes 12 per cent higher than pre-season estimates Continue reading

Add comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Recent Popular

International Blueberry Organization Summit 2025 attracts 575 ...

6 October 2025 0

South African supplier Tru-Cape reports highest ever ...

6 October 2025 0

South African stonefruit sector anticipates good season ...

19 September 2025 0

Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum names Piet de ...

19 September 2025 0

South African citrus industry announces early end ...

19 September 2025 0

LOVEREN VAN ZYL BOERDERY’S LONGSTANDING PARTNERSHIP WITH ...

20 July 2022 0

South African table grape industry ready to ...

20 October 2022 0

“South Africa starts catching up after weeks ...

9 September 2022 0

Fresh produce probe in South Africa

2 March 2023 0

End of the Sharon fruit dream in ...

26 February 2024 0

Connect with us

Facebook Instagram Linkedin

Instagram

Error: Error validating access token: Session has expired on Saturday, 23-Aug-25 01:24:58 PDT. The current time is Tuesday, 14-Oct-25 07:09:58 PDT.

Useful Links

    • Privacy Policy

    • Terms of use

    • Support Services Policy

    • Email Disclaimer

    • PAI Act Manual

    • Covid-19

Subscribe Now

Subscribe us and get latest news  and updates to your inbox directly.

* Don’t worry, we don’t spam.

Contact Info.

The Vineyards Office Estate, Farm 3, Manor House, 99 Jip De Jager Drive, De Bron, Cape Town. South Africa
+27 (0)21 818 4200
info@paltrack.co.za
Mon – Fri: 8am to 5pm

Copyright © 2024 Paltrack. Designed by Hero Digital

Facebook Instagram Linkedin
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok