Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) says it handled a total of 820,243 metric tonnes of cargo in the nine months to December 2022, representing an 18% increase from the corresponding period in 2021.
“The past year has seen a rise in several global challenges, including geopolitical uncertainty, extreme weather in various parts of the world, and the rising cost of living, all of which have impacted the logistics and supply chain management industry. Namport has managed to grow stronger and more resilient,” the ports operator said.
In the period under review, Namport recorded increased vessel calls by 6%, with vessel gross tonnages increasing by 2.1 million, or 15%, YoY.
Cross-border cargo accounted for 1.7 million tonnes, or 32% of total cargo handled, while bulk and break-bulk cargo increased by 25% from 3 million tonnes in 2021 to 3.8 million in 2022.
However, Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) handled decreased by 7%, mainly attributed to decreased transshipment containers handled.
The Syncrolift jetties occupancy was 65%, up from 57% the previous year, and the bay’s occupancy was 56%, also up from 48% the previous year.
The top three commodities exported from the Port of Walvis Bay were bulk and bagged salt and petroleum products. The top three commodities imported were copper concentrates, sulphuric acid, and wheat.
The Port of Luderitz saw petroleum and wet fish as its top two imported commodities and manganese ore and zinc concentrates/ore as its top two exported commodities.
The overall volume throughput for the Port of Walvis Bay also saw an increase of 8.12% for imports and 57.91% for exports.
“Despite the challenges faced in the past year, Namport has remained committed to providing efficient and reliable services to its customers and stakeholders and is confident that it will continue to perform strongly in the future.”
The company is optimistic about further growth in the current fiscal year ending 31 March 2023.
