The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) has recorded a 24% increase in vessel calls for the period April 2021 to January 2022, compared to the same period in 2020/2021 financial year.
The ports operator also recorded a 16% increase in vessel gross tonnes.
“The increase in vessel calls were predominantly due to increased petroleum vessels, Namibian and foreign fishing vessels, foreign tugs, and research vessels,” Namport’s Acting Executive: Commercial Services, Elisa Hasheela said.
The ports authority’s Bulk and Break Bulk (BBB) volumes saw an improvement of 173,587 tonnes (5%), year on year.
“The growth is mainly due to increased exports of 251,334 tonnes (20%) of commodities such as marble, ship spares, petroleum products, and bulk salt,” he said.
Hasheela was upbeat about the growth prospects of the company going forward, including its role in the global logistics value chain.
“During the past two decades, Namport has recorded substantial growth, in both size and significance, from a minor national port to a key regional and international role player. With its recent substantial infrastructural investment in expanding the facilities and its capabilities at the Port of Walvis Bay, it is set to increase its relevance even more. \The Namibian Ports Authority is well on the trajectory of realizing its vision of becoming the best performing seaports in Africa,” he said.
This comes as Namport plans is considering entering into private partnerships (PPP) in the rollout of critical infrastructure and facilities in the company’s ports, and this will include the development of the common user manganese export terminal at the Port of Luderitz and the development of the common user bulk terminal at the Port of Walvis Bay.
Namport is also looking at PPPs in the possible concessioning of the Walvis Bay New Container Terminal, the construction and operation of the LPG and LNG terminals at North Port here in Walvis Bay and Green hydrogen production and export from both North Port and the Port of Luderitz.
