Walvis Bay becomes ship repair hub

A SECOND 8 000-ton floating dry dock is being commissioned in the port of Walvis Bay to cater for the growing ship repair and maintenance activity in the port. The two floating dry docks are in addition to a 2 000 ton synchrolift and facilities to repair and service oil rigs. Demand is being created by oil exploration and drilling activity mainly off the Angola coast, in addition to the shipping industry, according to Namport manager sales and services, Elias Mwenyo. In response to the demand private companies have set up full engineering shops and other support facilities. According to Mwenyo, Walvis Bay is the preferred location for repairs and maintenance along the west coast because of the facilities that are available and its links to the rest of the world. “Whatever is not here can be sourced from South Africa or Europe within days,” he says.