Government through the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) is seeking partners to manage and operate the existing New Container Terminal (NCT) at the Port of Walvis Bay.
The initiative which is being implemented under the Walvis Bay Industrial Development Initiative (WIDI), also seeks for the development and deployment of a National Single Window facility and the development and operation of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near Walvis Bay.
“The New Container Terminal (NCT) is a significant asset to Namport’s balance sheet, and the government strongly believes that it can now provide greater opportunity to promote the country’s economic development agenda, if leveraged, marketed and managed together with certain complementary components,” Executive: Strategy & Branding at the NIPDB, Margareth Gustavo said.
“The WIDI aims to improve Namibia’s efficiency and competitiveness as a regional logistics hub, with the main objective being to positively contribute to the country’s economic development, including the creation of quality jobs and the transfer of key skills for and to Namibians.”
She said the development of a SEZ is expected to significantly stimulate urban renewal and development in Walvis Bay and the wider Erongo Region.
“As part of Namibia’s initiatives to enhance its competitiveness, ease of doing business and ambition to develop into a regional logistics hub, the implementation of a National Single Window (NSW) has also become a priority project and is being considered alongside the development of a SEZ and the management of the NCT by private developers and operators respectively,” the NIPDB Executive said.
Gustavo said a National Coordinating Committee, led by the NIPDB, has been constituted to identify and approach global market leading operators, on behalf of government.
“The proposals currently sought from global operators will allow the government to assess the market appetite for partnerships if and when the project components are consolidated, or whether benefit is increased if these projects are considered separately. Upon conclusion of the EOI process, the Government will then assess whether the interest expressed by the private sector warrants continuing with a subsequent Request for Proposals under the provisions of the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Act,” she said.
The Expressions of Interest which was scheduled to close on October 15th, 2021 is now extended to a closing date of October 30th, 2021, with the process expected to be concluded by December 1st, 2021.
This comes as on 30 August 2021, government invited leading global developers and operators with significant capability and well proven experience in port and container terminal management, shipping and logistics sector operations, developers and operators of special economic zones and business development experts, through an Expression of Interest (EOI) to partner with government in the Walvis Bay Industrial Development Initiative (WIDI).
