Namport named most progressive harbour in Africa

Leonard Neill BIGGER VESSELS are sailing in and out of Walvis Bay harbour these days and doing so on regular schedules which link Namibia's major port with Europe, North America and South Africa. A deepened harbour and a slick workforce has encouraged greater utilisation of what Namport proudly dubs 'The Gateway to Southern Africa'. Namport also proudly sports the title of the most progressive harbour authority in Africa, a citation it was awarded following research by a US study group into all harbours around the continent last year. Along with the deepening of Walvis Bay harbour, a new quayside has been completed in Luderitz, ready for the increased activity expected to flow from the opening up of new mining and industrial operations in the southern region of the country. While Walvis Bay has traditionally been regarded as primarily a fishing harbour, it has now emerged as an important port of call on international routes serving the growing needs of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), as well as expanding exports from the same countries. Namport itself has been a prime mover in the development of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, which aims to provide a fast trucking service between Namibia and the industrial sector of Gauteng, as well as to other SADC regions. In each instance the movement of goods through the port of Walvis Bay for conveyance to these destinations, or loading from them, is the main reason for Namport's involvement in the Corridor Group's development.