Monthly Archives: April 2015

US$70m Malawi border post to improve Cargo flow

By sowmedia | Blog

Lilongwe | April 23, 2015

Malawi have been granted a loan of US. $70 Million to a border post between Malawi and Zambia (between the town of Mwame Zambia and Mchinji), in a bid to improve its trade with Southern Africa Developing Countries (SADC) and reduce wastage of time on borders.

The loan, which was granted by the African Development Fund (ADF) will see the post’s construction kick off immediately.

According to Malawi’s AFD representative Andrew Mwawa the construction of the border post can start off anytime now that the loan is cleared.

“The money is ready and we have just cleared the loan the project for construction of one boarder post between Malawi and Zambia can start anytime” said Mwawa.

The post will be so beneficial to business community in the southern part of Africa for they have been for long pleaded for the introduction of new technology to help in clearance on the border that will see them avoid loss of time and resources.

The government of Malawi is currently also under the ministry of Trade planning to construct a border that will promote trade between it and Mozambique. The news for construction of the border post at Mozambique border was revealed by the Minister Mr. Joseph Mwananveka.

“Shortly we are to build one border post like the one to be built with Zambia in our borders with Mozambique, talking of Mwanza.” He said. Zimbabwe has also announced an intention to reconstruct the Beit bridge border post to international standards, since delays and inefficiencies were being experienced.

Africa Shipping Logistics your ONE STOP LOGISTICS SERVICE CENTER for all your cargo shipments to any part of MALAWI!! Call us today on +31 10 476 0241 or email us on info@africashippinglogistics.com. Check our website www.africashippinglogistics.com for more information about our services.

We look forward to serving you!

The views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the positions or opinions of the publishers of www.africashippinglogistics.com

Changes on Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (Ectn) For Congo

By sowmedia | Blog

Brazzaville | April 09, 2015

The implementation of “GUOT” (Guichet Unique des Opérations Transfrontaliéres)  process has taken effect. This process has seen the introduction of the T.I number to effect the validation of the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) for all cargo destined to Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville).

The process which came into force latest last year (November 2014) required that for a shipper to obtain the Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) in French “Besc”, the consignee(s)/ importer(s)  and his transitaire (forwarder) at pointe-noire should be registered at the GUOT (Guichet unique des operations transfrontalieres) in Congo.

In the past, the consignees/ importers and their transitaires were applying for an importation request or authorization directly from the Commerce department to allow them get the ECTN (Besc) at the port of loading.

Now, this process becomes electronic via the GUOT system. The consignee/importer or his transitaire once registered in Guot system can validate all commercial operation (importation) to obtain the T.I number. The T.I number is compulsory for the validation of the besc (ECTN).

Shippers are supposed to notify their consignees/ importers in Congo to register with the GUOT in order to obtain a T.I number which shall appear on the ECTN each time they want to export cargo to Congo via Pointe Noire or other ports of entry.

Heavy fines shall be imposed by the Congolese authorities in event the shipper/consignee fails to comply with these new procedures.

Procedure to get T.I Number for ECTN validation

1.  The supplier/Shipper abroad or at Port of loading sends a commercial invoice to the consignee/importer in Congo;
2.  With the commercial invoice, the consignee/importer in Congo or his transitaire registers and opens a file in the Guot system to obtain the T.I number.
3.  Once the consignee/importer in Congo acquires the T.I number he sends it to the supplier/Shipper abroad or at Port of loading.
4.  With the T.I number, Africa Shipping Logistics acting on the supplier/Shipper’s instructions applies and validates the ECTN to be indicated on the BL.

Africa Shipping Logistics is fully compliant to issue out ECTN for all your shipments destined to Republic of Congo. Please get in touch with us on +31 10 476 02 41 or email us: info@africashippinglogistics.com