St Helena/Namibia: Namibian cement company Ohorongo cement has secured a three-year contract with construction firm Basil Read for the supply of cement for the building of a new airport on the British overseas territory of St Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean, over 1900km from the Namibian coast.
In November 2011 Basil Read secured a US$300m contract from the British Government to build an airport on the island. The island, one of the most remote locations on the planet, is currently supplied by boat.
Ohorongo said that it was 'very excited' about supplying cement to the project. The company will export the cement in 1.5t bulk-bags packed into 20ft containers by means of a 3000t vessel. It will operate between St Helena and Walvis Bay, Namibia on a three week cycle.
