Alicia Dowton

Shipping and Logistics

Cargo movement between Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo eased.

IN an effort to ease movement between Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), freight management and import/export company Ogefrem last week signed an agreement with a Namibian company for the issuing of Feri certification.

Ogefrem, a DRC company, signed the agreement with Africa Union Cargo Namibia at Walvis Bay to be its agent.

The Feri certification, which is also known as an electronic cargo tracking note, forms part of the required and mandated documentation in the pre-clearance stage of cargo before leaving any country.It also ensures goods are documented and traceable, as well as provides real-time information on the movement of cargo.

Currently, the DRC does not allow cargo to enter or leave the country if it has not been tracked by Ogefrem.

According to Dornay Swartz, the chief project manager at Africa Union Cargo Namibia, the absence of a Feri certificate has led to many delays of cargo from Namibia at the DRC ports of entry over the years.

“To ease trade and business within the DRC, tracking of cargo is vital. Applying at the DRC border for the Feri certificate implies heavy penalty charges, and of course delays and congestion at the borders. It is important that freight forwarders and transporters comply with the regulations of that country,” said Swartz.

She added that there is no middleman in the process for Feri certification, as freight forwarders and transporters can apply directly online or through manual application processors.Goods such as vehicles, frozen foods, salt, agricultural and mining machinery, as well as chemicals are transported from Namibia to the DRC via sea and road.

Swartz further explained that the agreement between the two companies is an important tool to keep the Walvis Bay port alive and create jobs for Namibians.

“It is also important in promoting global trade and increasing traffic for the port of Walvis Bay and its corridors,” she said.

Written by Alicia Dowton
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Source: The Namibian
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