Niël Terblanché
The marine industrial complex situated in Walvis Bay welcomed the Q7000, a semi-submersible vessel, which docked on 16 December for maintenance and repair work before its deployment to Brazil’s oil fields.
The vessel is currently stationed at Berth 8 at the harbour, where it will undergo hull cleaning operations to comply with international maritime environmental standards.
The Q7000 arrived from Western Australia and is scheduled for a ten-day stay in Walvis Bay.
During this period, specialized underwater vacuum cleaning technology will be employed to remove marine life such as barnacles and mussels from the hull.
The extracted organisms will be contained and disposed of appropriately to prevent ecological contamination.
According to Namport, the procedure aligns with Brazil’s stringent biosecurity measures, which mandate hull cleaning for vessels arriving from specific regions to protect local marine ecosystems.
Walvis Bay’s selection as the maintenance point for the Q7000 demonstrates the port’s well-known and advanced capabilities in servicing seagoing oil exploration and production vessels.
The port boasts a well-equipped ship repair industry, including three floating docks with lifting capacities of 6 500, 8 000, and 15 000 tonnes.
These facilities enable the port to accommodate a diverse range of vessels for repairs and maintenance, reinforcing its status as a strategic maritime centre in the region.
Walvis Bay has experienced significant economic growth, particularly during the oil exploration and production boom in northern Angola more than a decade ago.
The marine industrial complex hosted by the port played a pivotal role in servicing oil drilling and production equipment, attracting global oil and gas companies seeking reliable and efficient support services.
This period of heightened activity not only boosted the local economy but also enhanced the port’s infrastructure and service offerings, positioning it as a key player in the maritime industry.
Namport has been proactive in expanding the port’s infrastructure to meet the growing demands of the oil and gas sector.
The arrival of the Q7000 and the planned infrastructure developments demonstrate Walvis Bay’s strategic importance in the global oil and gas supply chain while Namibia is also emerging as a noteworthy player in the oil industry.
A few weeks ago Namport indicated that the port’s role in facilitating international maritime operations is set to expand further which will eventually contribute to the country’s economic growth and integration into the global energy market.
