Dredging completed for post Panamax vessels

Dredging of the approach
channels, quays and
turning basins in Walvis
Bay to accommodate larger
vessels is being undertaken in
parallel with the building of
new landside infrastructure,
according to port engineer
Elzevir Gelderbloem.
The approach channel for
the existing port has been
dredged to 15 metres and the
berths to 14 metres, whilst the
new container terminal under
construction is being built for
the 9 000-TEU vessels.
There are now plans to
dredge down to 16 metres to
accommodate larger vessels.
“We have had to go back to
the drawing board because the
shipping companies say they
want to bring in even bigger
vessels,” says Gelderbloem.
For the bulk terminal, which
will be the new SADC port,
the approach channel has been
dredged to 16.5 metres and a
180-metre-wide turning basin
has been dug out.
This will increase the capacity
of the port from 45 000 to
60 000 ton liquid bulk vessels.
A new liquid bulk terminal is
nearing completion.
The next phase includes
a liquid natural gas (LNG)
terminal to provide feedstock
for a new power station.
A 10-million-ton-a-year
multipurpose dry bulk facility
is planned for Phase 3 of the
SADC port.
Phase 4 will be a ship and rig
repair facility.
It is seen as a 50-year
project, but the roll-out can be
accelerated if there is sufficient
demand.
“There are 20 or more
phases in the pipeline, but
their implementation will be
determined by market demand,”
he says.
CAPTION
The new container terminals in the port of Walvis Bay.