Port of Walvis Bay has facilitated the export of 25 000 tons of lithium ore to China with an additional 50 000 tons expected to be shipped later this month, port operator Namport has revealed.
Lithium ore is a product used in the production of ceramics and glass, as well as in primary aluminium manufacturing.
This comes as the port is expected to benefit from the recovery in global commodity prices, a development which saw 80 brand new tipper trucks, imported from the Republic of China via the Port of Walvis Bay destined for the Xingfeng Mine, a lithium ore mine at Omaruru, within the Erongo Region.
The trucks arrived at the Port in two batches (40 trucks per shipment) during the month of July and August respectively and are expected to improve the mine’s capacity and efficiency.
“Namport is enthusiastic about this venture, as the mine anticipates ramping up its export volumes through the Port of Walvis Bay, due to growing global demand as a result of improving commodity price of lithium ore. The shipment of these trucks signifies the positive outlook that the investors foresee for the industry,” Namport’s Business Development Partner Tautinge Festus said.
The Port of Walvis Bay currently houses two bulk handling facilities, namely: Walvis Bay Bulk Terminal and the Bigen Kuumba Port Services Terminal, which play significant roles in the handling of this product and similar bulk commodities.
