SADC Gateway Port makes headway

Namibia Ports Authority (Namport) began construction of the first phase of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Gateway Port this month – almost a year ahead of schedule. The new port – situated five kilometres north of Walvis Bay – will largely cater for exporters and importers of commodities from landlocked SADC countries, said Elias Mwenyo, Namport manager of business development. The first phase involves building a R4 billion oil tanker jetty, petroleum pipelines and a 75-millionlitre oil storage facility Namport chief executive, Bisey Uirab, was quoted in an interview with Namibian newspaper, Southern Times, as saying that increased demand from mining companies for oil and petroleum products was adding to the viability of the port ahead of expectations, hence the fast-tracking of the development. China Harbour Engineering Company and Namibia’s stateowned Roads Contractor Company were awarded the tender to build the tanker jetty that can handle two 60 000-tonne deadweight (DWT) tankers at any given time, said Mwenyo, The second and third phases of the port, with construction slated to start in 2020, involve construction of a multipurpose dry bulk terminal and a coal terminal. “Our geographical positioning makes us the obvious and cost-effective gateway to SADC. We also capitalise on the fact that we are a medium-size port compared to regional ports, we are less congested and therefore waiting time is reduced,” said Mwenyo. INSERT & CAPTION The new port will largely cater for exporters and importers of commodities from landlocked SADC countries. – Elias Mwenyo CAPTION Construction has started on the first phase of the SADC Gateway Port near Walvis Bay.