Grindrod has officially opened its new warehouse facility in the Port of Walvis Bay.
Strategically located near berths seven and eight, the warehouse is designed for seamless cargo movement via conveyor and is fully compatible with rail and road transport systems.
Built on the logistics multinational’s existing 50 000-square-metre (sqms) premises, the weatherproof facility spans 4 000 sqms and meets all safety, health, environment and Quality (SHEQ) standards as outlined by the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport), a company statement has said.
“This milestone marks a significant collaboration between Grindrod and Namport, aimed at enhancing the port’s operational efficiency and positioning Walvis Bay as a resilient and sustainable trade gateway,” the statement says.
Operations executive for Grindrod Logistics Africa, Frans Visser, said: “Walvis Bay is ideally situated as a gateway to global markets, especially for cargo originating from the West Coast of Africa and neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).”
The new warehouse expands the company’s capabilities for cargo handling, clearing and forwarding, container logistics, stevedoring, ships agency services and terminal operations, the statement says.
Grindrod, which has been operating at the port for more than 50 years, has said it is currently exploring further expansion in the region, guided by market demand.
“We anticipate further investment into our port facility in the coming years. We intend to collaborate with state-owned entities to develop cost-effective and efficient logistics solutions,” Visser said.
Infrastructure is only part of the equation.
“We aim to employ up to one hundred employees across all competency levels and to equip the local talent with the right skills to manage bulk shipments.”
The freight services provider was committed to investing in local workforce development, Visser added.
Andrew Sturrock, CEO of Grindrod’s logistics segment, emphasised the strategic importance of this investment.
“Our continued infrastructure development in Walvis Bay reflects our commitment to growth and our purpose of making a positive difference in Africa’s trade with the world. We see this region evolving into a secure and efficient transit corridor.”
Grindrod’s expansion in Namibia comes as a significant addition to its current regional capacity.
Recently, it acquired full ownership of the Matola terminal in Mozambique and the award of a 25-year concession for building and operating a container terminal in the Port of Richards Bay.
