Namport upgrades port security

Namport has upgraded security in both the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz following incidents of theft, which included full containers. According to the chief executive officer of the Namibian Ports Authority, Bisey Uirab, the turnaround strategy includes the installation of CCTV systems and the upgrading of fencing and access control systems. There has also been a focus on the training of security personnel. At government level changes are being made to “outdated legislation and policy frameworks”. The objective is to make the ports more competitive. “The Port of Walvis Bay and the Port of Lüderitz operate in an extremely competitive environment. “In Namibia we have a very small captive market for imports through our ports – we need to attract seaborne trade with landlocked countries in central and southern Africa. But the problem is that other ports in southern Africa also want the same business as our ports – for example, the copper exports from Zambia. “If we want to attract business to our ports, the shipping lines and the cargo owners must have the assurance that no additional costs will be incurred or lives put at risk,” he said.