With the Port of Walvis Bay’s container terminal safely in the hands of Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), Namport has set its sights on growing its bulk and breakbulk business.Major developments are being planned for North Port, a 3 090-hectare area of vacant land located just outside Walvis Bay en route to Swakopmund. It has been earmarked for the strategic expansion of the port. With space at the existing Walvis Bay facility nearing capacity, North Port presents a viable and long-term solution to support continued growth.According to Elias Mwenyo, Namport’s executive for commercial services, phase 1 includes the construction of a new tanker jetty, taking advantage of an already existing channel. The land has been zoned according to various commodity types, and the long-term goal over the next five to ten years is to develop dedicated bulk handling facilities that will ease pressure on the main port and its current operations.In Lüderitz, growth has been catalysed by the manganese trade and related investments. While sceptics once doubted its viability, the operation has proven not only sustainable but highly efficient. Despite the challenges posed by Lüderitz’s rocky terrain, plans are under way to extend the quay and increase landside capacity to accommodate rising volumes of mining commodities. “We are fast-tracking the process to meet growing demand. Lüderitz is no longer a sleepy town. It’s transforming and that’s exciting, not just for us, but also for the local economy and the people of the southern region,” he said.According to Mwenyo, the growing interest and developments in the oil and gas and mining sectors have catapulted expansion plans into high gear, accelerating the need for additional infrastructure and capacity at Namibia’s ports. LV
