WB to shift focus to new breakbulk terminal

On the back of consistent
growth, the Namibian
Ports Authority will
continue to invest in the
bulk and breakbulk sector.
According to Ipupa Kasheeta,
breakbulk manager for Namport,
expansion of breakbulk and
project cargo capacity at the Port
of Walvis Bay is crucial in light of
growing volumes.
“We have seen 3% year-on-year
growth in the breakbulk sector
which has been extremely resilient
in light of the current economic
situation,” she said. “Creating
more capacity and investing in our
facilities is therefore a priority.”
With investment
into its container
facilities currently
under way,
construction
work on the new
breakbulk port in
Walvis Bay will
start in 2017, said
Kasheeta.
“The focus at
the moment is
on the container terminal where
construction is well under way
to increase capacity to a million
TEUs,” she said. “After completion
of this terminal in 2017 the focus
will move to
constructing
the breakbulk
terminal.”
Kasheeta
said increasing
breakbulk
handling capacity
in Walvis Bay
as well as the
development of
a ship and rig
repair facility was a long-term plan
aimed at creating a projects hub in
Namibia.
The new development – that will
officially be known as the SADC
Gateway Port – will be the biggest
port development in Namibia to
date. The deepwater multipurpose
port would change the face of
project logistics in the SADC
region, said Kasheeta.
“Not only will we have the
largest and most modern ship
and rig repair yard on the West
African coast, but we will be able
to provide multi-purpose and
breakbulk services to the oil and
gas industry of world class quality.
Delivering this vision is a priority
at present.”
INSERT & CAPTION
We have seen 3% yearon-
year growth in the
breakbulk sector.
– Ipupa Kasheeta
CAPTION
The Port of Walvis Bay ... creating more capacity and investing in facilities.