In response to persistent supply chain challenges faced by mining companies operating in Zambia’s Copperbelt, Dutch logistics firm C.Steinweg Logistics’ direct air freight service, from Nairobi in Kenya to Ndola in Zambia – launched in 2021 – has received growing interest of late.

The route is a direct link to Zambia’s copper mining jurisdiction, and the company states that the service aims to improve delivery timelines for critical mining equipment, spares and consumables by bypassing Lusaka, which is more than 300 km from most mine sites in the Copperbelt.

Previously, urgent cargo – such as machinery components, electronic equipment or even personal protective equipment – had to be flown to Lusaka, and then transported by road over long distances – an arrangement that often exposed the cargo to harsh terrain and resulted in significant delays.

“The primary air freight route into the Copperbelt region is via Lusaka, serviced by a range of freighter aircraft. However, these charter flights typically operate on a weekly basis, with a capacity of around 100 t,” says C.Steinweg Logistics airfreight manager Matthew Larkins.

If a shipment misses the scheduled flight or if the aircraft is at full capacity, the cargo will be allocated to the next available flight, often resulting in a delay of up to a week. Even when cargo is booked in advance, there is still no guarantee of departure.

“If the aircraft is not fully booked by the departure date, the service may be postponed until it reaches capacity,” he adds.

These delays and uncertainties put a “serious dent” in the Copperbelt’s output, notes Larkins, adding that it was for this reason that C.Steinweg Logistics established a new route linking Nairobi to Ndola, thereby facilitating air deliveries as close to the mine sites as possible.

Once the company’s base in Ndola was constructed, delivery operations between Nairobi and Ndola started in early 2024.

Previously, the route only supported shipments from Brussels, in Belgium, to the Copperbelt region; however, Larkins says its usefulness has since expanded, with C.Steinweg Logistics dealing with growing interest from clients moving cargo from China, the US, India and various parts of Europe, into the Copperbelt.

As such, clients have been given the option to benefit from faster turnaround times, made possible by a more reliable and frequent schedule.

While the service operates twice weekly, with departures on Wednesdays and Sundays, Larkins says the flight schedule is flexible and can be expanded based on demand.

“We do have the option to increase the frequency to three scheduled flights per week, depending on market and industry demand,” he confirms.

A key feature of the route is its ability to cater to time-sensitive and limited-handling cargo – characteristics critical to certain operations in the Zambian mining industry.

“The mining sectors in these regions are very demanding operations, as each component coming in directly affects the output of these mines,” says Larkins.

Air-freighted items typically comprise either components for machinery breakdowns or specific parts required for operational requirements, with “time often of the essence”.

“For these businesses, comprising at least 90% of its customer base, to remain competitive, operationally profitable and efficient, air freight remains the primary mode of transport for bringing stock, spares and the like in,” he adds.

Control, Predictability

The air freight solution offers more control and predictability, as it avoids congested land border crossings and poorly maintained road networks, with significant benefits for fragile, high-value or urgently needed cargo.

Air freight also supports more streamlined customs clearance processes at key airport hubs, which Larkins says helps to reduce overall handling time.

While more expensive than sea or road freight, the cost of airfreight is often justified in a mining context and, when compared to road transport, can reduce lead times by several days.

“If you had to weigh up the cost of production downtimes, due to delays in receipt of equipment or parts, air-freight cost becomes insignificant. The main concern here is time,” concludes Larkins.