Niël Terblanché
The dredging project to deepen and widen the access channel to Walvis Bay Harbour was recently completed.
The deepened and widened access channel is expected to accommodate larger vessels, thereby boosting trade and economic growth.
The project also enhanced Namibia’s maritime infrastructure.
The initiative, undertaken by Van Oord in partnership with Boskalis, involved deepening the ten-kilometre-long access channel from 14.4 to 16.8 metres and widening it from 130 to 200 metres.
Additionally, the harbour basin was dredged to a depth of 16.3 metres and expanded by more than 400 metres.
According to the contractors, one of the primary challenges faced during the project was the presence of high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (Hâ‚‚S) in the dredged sediment.
To address this, extensive health and safety measures were implemented before the project’s commencement.
Modifications were made to the dredging vessels, including the installation of numerous sensors and specialised Hâ‚‚S filters.
Crew members received training on handling Hâ‚‚S, enabling them to monitor air concentrations continuously and establish safe working protocols.
The contractors also installed sensors on the port’s quays to provide timely alerts to workers and port users in case of gas detection.
According to the contractors, the successful completion of this project is another milestone in Namibia’s efforts to enhance its port facilities.
Van Oord and Boskalis said the enhanced harbour facilities are poised to contribute to the growth of Namibia’s shipping industry and support the nation’s economic development.
