Namibia Ports Authority (Namport) is fast-tracking the construction of the R30 billion Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Gateway Port.
One of the main catalysts that spurred the fast tracking is neighbouring Botswana aiming to export some 100 million tonnes of coal through this new port to India within the next decade.
Construction will take place on 1 330 hectares of land between Bird Island and Kuisebmond in Walvis Bay, reports African Review. It is expected to serve as the gateway port to the SADC land-locked countries.
Construction will be conducted in several phases with the first phase including the building of tanker berth and fuel storage facility. Its construction is due to begin in 2014, reports namibiansun.com.
According to the port engineer, Elzevir Gelderbloem, the new SADC Gateway Port will contain a ship and rig repair yard and an oil and gas supply base. A huge undercover dry bulk terminal, car import terminal, passenger terminals and a container terminal are also being planned.
The port of Walvis Bay, with its deep water depth and stable weather conditions, is strategically located to accelerate the growth of the SADC region, reports Dredging Today. Namport also highlights that cost and time savings are achieved along the Walvis Bay corridors by offering the shortest possible regional route on the west coast.
Namport chief executive officer Bisey Uirab said, “The SADC Gateway Port is soon becoming a reality.
“The realities and demands of our neighbours have pushed us to fast-track the northern port.”
Uirab indicated that the government has already agreed to back up the financing of the construction of the new port.
Uirab said, “Our competition is all over the world since the services we offer can also be offered from ports elsewhere. Thus, we need to constantly re-invent ourselves to guarantee efficiency and customer satisfaction.”
