The Port of Walvis Bay’s year-on-year (y-o-y) increase in vessel calls for the financial year ending on December 31 has been officially recorded as 32%, Namport has said in a statement by its CEO, Andrew Kanime.
“This substantial increase can be attributed to intensified activities involving container vessels, dry bulk carriers, reefers, and foreign tugs.”
Kanime added that, in addition, there was a 24% increase in vessel gross tonnage, while the provision of pilot services to these vessels had recorded an increase of 29% compared to the corresponding period for the previous financial year.
The figures were released at the same time that Freight News spoke to Namport commercial services executive, Elias Mwenyo, who said a major spike in bunkering services at the port had been detected because of vessels avoiding the Suez Canal due to conflict around the Horn of Africa (Read this for context).
Kanime said: “The surge in vessels calling at Walvis Bay for refuelling has had a discernible impact on local port fuel levels.
“In response to the growing demand for bunkering services, Namport has expanded its fuel infrastructure, ensuring a consistent and dependable fuel supply for visiting vessels.”
On Friday, Mwenyo said Namport’s readiness strategies were proving capable of absorbing the increase in vessels rounding Africa instead of sailing through the Suez.
Kanima reiterated this view, saying: “It is important to emphasise our commitment to meeting the escalating demand for fuel services while upholding the highest standards of safety and environmental responsibility.”
Increased bunkering activity at Walvis Bay has been nothing short of remarkable since the Suez Crisis started on November 19 when Houthi rebels from Yemen attacked an autoliner, forcing it to alter its course to the Port of Hudaydah.
“Petroleum imports have seen a remarkable increase of 50% (y-o-y) when comparing the nine-month period ending December 31.
“Petroleum imports escalated from 796 277 tonnes in 2022 to 1192 286 tonnes in 2023, underscoring the port's growing significance as a refuelling destination,” Kanime said.
Walvis Bay has snatched opportunity from South Africa in this regard because it offers better capacity and related offshore bunker services.
Algoa Bay, South Africa’s only offshore bunker stop for large vessels, has been beset by capacity constraints.
The only other African port that has managed to meet demand as Suez-diverted traffic around the Cape continues to increase is Port Louis, which is not on the mainland.
