Namport promises increased cargo handling capacity

Feasibility study for third port out soon KEVIN MAYHEW AS A direct competitor to South Africa’s ports and industrial development zones - particularly the Port of Durban - Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) is flexing its muscle and promising better facilities to increase cargo handling at the port in 2005. And it’s coming off a good performance base for the past year - comparable performance figures for 2002/3 over 2003/4 reflect major freight tonne increases in main commodities landed (7%), main commodities shipped (17%), transhipped general cargo (165%) and an overall increase in the categories combined of 21% (2 763 446 freight tonnes against 2 350 120 in 2002/3). Already improvements to its port facilities have achieved a three-fold increase in handling capacity. Improved efficiency has come from better infrastructure and equipment at its Walvis Bay and LŸderitz ports and its industrial development zones, according to manager: sales and service Johny Smith. “We have extended facilities in a number of areas to maintain our competitiveness as a true gateway to southern Africa. In fact we are considering a third port, which will probably be situated at Cape Fria, the country’s northern coast. “Presently a feasibility study is being undertaken which is expected to be completed at the end of the year,” he explained. This harbour is not only intended to serve the traditional fishing industry, but the import and export of general cargo, ore and minerals to and from other SADC countries. Already the improved road and rail links between Zambia and southern Angola promise great potential for a new port to be established north of Walvis Bay. Smith says Walvis Bay is already under pressure to handle the increased volumes as the areas it serves expands dependency on the TansKalahari and TransCaprivi Highways. Apart from this ambitious future, the actions of Namport already speak volumes about its intentions. It has put in a new container terminal, deepened the port, and bought container handling equipment and two mobile harbour cranes for the port of Walvis Bay. In 2005 these will be augmented with further extension of the container terminal and construction of warehouse facilities.