The European Union has committed N$13 million to support planning for the expansion of Lüderitz Port at Angra Point under the EU–Namibia Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains and Renewable Hydrogen.
According to the EU, the agreement was signed with the Port of Rotterdam and Namport during the closing session of the EU’s Africa regional workshop on Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridors.
The EU said it followed an International Maritime Organisation workshop in Walvis Bay, supported by the EU, which brought together representatives from 30 African maritime authorities to discuss green shipping routes.
The EU said the new partnership strengthens cooperation with Namibia to advance the global energy transition and support green industrialisation in the //Kharas region, in line with the government’s Southern Corridor Development Initiative.
The support builds on earlier work by the Port of Rotterdam on Namport’s Lüderitz Port master plan.
Under the agreement, the Port of Rotterdam will lead a high-level environmental impact assessment for the planned port expansion.
The EU said the study will identify environmental, community and infrastructure concerns and will include conceptual designs, layout plans and technical specifications for a multi-user terminal capable of handling various cargo types, including green hydrogen exports in the form of green ammonia.
According to the EU, support for Lüderitz Port draws on earlier EU-funded cooperation between Port of Antwerp–Bruges International and Namport on the Walvis Bay Port master plan, which could more than double capacity and unlock up to N$10 billion in potential investment. The EU said both port expansions aim to strengthen Africa–Europe trade corridors and position Namibia as a green logistics hub.
EU Ambassador to Namibia, H.E. Ana Beatriz Martins, said: “This partnership embodies the shared vision of the European Union and Namibia for a sustainable, fair and mutually beneficial green industrialisation. By investing in the necessary port infrastructure and the studies behind it, we are ensuring that development is both forward-looking and responsible. This is how Global Gateway works: by creating the conditions for sustainable growth, decent jobs and human development for Namibians.”
Port of Rotterdam Programme Manager for International Hydrogen Supply Chains, Martijn Coopman, said: “The Port of Rotterdam has been supporting Namport and Namibia in developing Lüderitz for several years. We are proud to now expand this cooperation with the strategic support of the EU. Together, we are helping catalyse the energy transition in Europe while ensuring Namibia and Namibians benefit from new economic opportunities.”
Namport Risk Management Executive, Stefanus Gariseb, said: “Namport welcomes the EU and Port of Rotterdam’s support for developing a Green Minerals Terminal at Lüderitz. This partnership marks a major step in strengthening Namibia’s role in global clean energy supply chains. By leveraging international expertise and investment, Namport is driving industrialisation, job creation, and sustainable growth. The initiative aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and Namibia’s green hydrogen ambitions, positioning Namport as a strategic hub for critical minerals and clean energy exports to Europe and beyond.”
