Gabcon

Background

Gaborone Container Terminal (Gabcon) is a Joint Venture of Botswana Railways and Transnet Freight Rail (former Spoornet).  It was established on October 1st 1999 to operate as an international container terminal business in Gaborone.  The terminal relies on sea, rail and road transport systems for its operational functions.

Gabcon is a customs bonded area which allows containers to be manifested directly from point of origin and point of destination on a through bill of landing.  An efficient rail link operates between Gaborone and the ports of Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth and East London in the Republic of South Africa.  This is monitored by effective and efficient computer systems.

Main Objective

Ensure that the Joint Venture operates along sound business principles that will ensure its profitability.

Pricing and Service Offered

Our prices are competitive!  Refer to the tariff sheet for guidance.

A one-stop-service is provided and customers are able to contact customs, clearing and forwarding agents, importers and exporters through Gabcon.  The afore mentioned stakeholders are responsible for;

• Booking cargo vessels
• Arranging container terminal orders
• Marketing their respective line and arranging cargo due orders (wharfage)
• Controlling the imports and exports on behalf of their clients
• Documenting procedures, customs clearance and ensure payment of all costs relating to the movement of containers and collecting same from clients.

As soon as containers arrive at the terminal, they are shunted into the terminal where off loading and stacking takes place.  Within the terminal there are two rail lines which have the capacity to carry 45 wagons each and cover a stacking capacity of 32,650 square meters.  In addition, the terminal has equipment that is capable of handling 3m, 6m and 12m containers from rail wagons onto road vehicles for speedy and effective door-to-door delivery service.

Expansion Strategy

Gabcon is working on growing and further developing the strategy plan which is to be implemented as follows;

• Increase handling capacity
• Focus on cross border alliances
• Develop intercity trunking
• Develop Gabcon into a container port
• Implement sales, marketing and publicity programs to increase business

New Developments at Gabcon

In Botswana Railways’ quest to be a commercial enterprise of the Botswana Government, Gabcon has been converted into a subsidiary company of Botswana Railways.  This move has been favoured by the 2004 Amendment of the Botswana Railways Act which allows for a range of activities beyond rail transportation.  These activities encourage the formation of Joint Ventures, Public Private Partnerships and Subsidiary Companies.  Gabcon’s new structure is therefore as set out below;

A comprehensive Turnaround Strategy has been drawn for Gabcon and has a long term goal of being repositioned to act as a central transport hub that will facilitate trade in and out of the southern part of Botswana. 

Contact details
Gaborone Container Terminal
Plot 14415, Gaborone West
P.O. Box 494, GABORONE
Tel: +267 391 9396, 316 4323
Fax: +267 391 9492
Email: gabcon@botsnet.bw