Namibia unveils ambitious port growth strategy

The Namibian Port Authority (Namport) has embarked on an ambitious upgrade programme to meet its target of doubling its 2012 volumes of cargo handling and railtransported cargo by 2017. Manager of sales and marketing at Namport, Elias Mwenyo, told FTW that this was in an effort to keep up with projected sub-Saharan growth over the next four years. “The programme to achieve the 2017 outcome includes a new container terminal at Walvis Bay, infrastructure capacity creation at Walvis Bay and Lüderitz ports, automating the ports, building human resource capacity and promoting public private partnerships,” he noted. Mwenyo said that Namport had seen total cargo volumes of 304 000 TEUs last year – up from 183 000 in 2008 – and that demand was projected to grow to 1 million TEUs by 2025. “Currently, we offer 335 000-TEU capacity and have increased the draught at Berths 1 to 3 from 12.8 metres to 14 metres so they can now handle 4 500-TEU container vessels,” he said. Other recent achievements include growth in vehicle imports through Walvis Bay – up to 357 000 in 2013 from 224 000 units in 2008 – and the provision of dry ports for Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Containers currently contribute around 41% of total revenue for Namport, and this will be further boosted with the opening of the new container terminal at Walvis Bay port in 2017. “The R3.9-billion terminal will offer a capacity of 750 000 TEUs per annum and a 600-metre quay length,” said Mwenyo. He said that long-term developments for the Port of Walvis Bay included the following: • 10 000 metres of quay wall and jetties • 30 large berths • Coal terminal (65 million tonnes per annum capacity) linked to the Trans-Kalahari Railway • Multi-purpose dry-bulk terminal • Tanker jetty The Port of Lüderitz is also being upgraded and will have a new cold storage facility, increased reefer points, new port rail network and a rehabilitated boatyard by 2015/2016. Long-term plans for the port include a new deep water port at Angra Point and a heavy-haul rail connection – possibly to the Northern Cape’s Hotazel manganese mines. According to Mwenyo, Namport will issue a tender for port automation consulting services by the end of this year. “We will work them to plan the best information management and collaborative system and hope to appoint an implementation partner by early next year,” he said. Another objective for 2017 is Namport’s port capacity building programme which will include the training of marine pilots, tug masters and cargo operators. INSERT & CAPTION The R3.9-billion terminal will offer a capacity of 750 000 TEUs per annum. – Elias Mwenyo CAPTION Long-term plans are for the Port of Walvis Bay to be established as a Southern African Development Community (SADC) port gateway.