Namibian ports handled a record eight million tonnes of cargo during the last financial year.
The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) announced in a statement this week that the country’s ports had achieved throughput growth of 4% on the 7.7 million tonnes handled in 2023. The entity’s financial year ended on March 13, 2024.
“The major contributor is the exportation of goods, including salt, copper concentrate, bagged salt, frozen fish, manganese ore, and zinc/lead concentrate,” Namport said.
The following commodities led the growth charge: marble (41%); frozen fish (29%); manganese ore (15.7%); copper concentrate (12%); bulk salt exports (10%); zinc/lead concentrates (2.9%) and bagged salt (1%).
Commodity imports also rose significantly by 7.9% for the period.
“Notably, petroleum surged, representing a substantial 26% increase. Other imported commodities also experienced noteworthy growth, including copper concentrate, ammonium nitrate, wheat, ships spares, and steel,” Namport said.
There was a 29% surge in the number of vessels calling at Namibian ports, escalating from 1 636 to 2 115 calls for the period.
“This was primarily driven by increased activity across various vessel categories, including foreign tugs, dry bulk vessels, containerised vessels, foreign fishing vessels, petroleum vessels, Namibian fishing vessels, research, and general vessels,” the ports authority said.
“The financial year under review also recorded an increased occupancy rate of Syncrolift facilities. The repair jetties’ occupancy rose from 64% to 96%, while bay occupancy lagged at 47% compared to 52% in the previous financial year.
“The success of Namport's operations can be attributed to building and maintaining solid relationships with key stakeholders such as the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, shipping lines, cargo owners, government agencies, and the larger port community.”
It added that its collaboration with stakeholders was crucial to its long-term success and sustainability.
