Niël Terblanché
Namibia is advancing its plans to expand the Port of Lüderitz, integral to the country’s strategy for enhancing support to industries such as oil, gas, and green hydrogen production.
The Namibian Ports Authority’s (Namport) executive of port engineering, Elzevir Gelderbloem, has stressed that the Robert Harbour quay wall extension project will undergo rigorous inspections, including underwater surveys.
In a report by nambusinessexpress.com Gelderbloem said that the expansion of the Port of Lüderitz is not just about increasing capacity; it is about positioning the port as a key logistics hub for Namibia’s oil, gas, and green hydrogen industries.
According to Namport’s strategic plans, the port’s cargo handling capacity is expected to double from three to six million tonnes annually by 2026/7, significantly alleviating current logistical pressures.
“Longer-term plans include the development of a new deep-water port section at Angra Point, which is anticipated to facilitate the export of green ammonia by 2028,” he said.
According to Gelderbloem, this expansion is crucial as Namibia prepares to become a major player in the global energy market.
The country is on the cusp of an oil boom, with significant discoveries in the Orange Basin projected to make Namibia Africa’s fifth-largest oil producer by 2030.
Simultaneously, the port will play a key role in the emerging green hydrogen industry. Namibia’s strategic location makes it an ideal export hub for green hydrogen and its derivatives to international markets.
A recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Namibia and South Africa further underlines the region’s commitment to developing a green hydrogen corridor, linking key industrial hubs across both countries.
Namport’s collaboration with private sector partners through public-private partnerships is expected to inject much-needed capital into the development of infrastructure and facilities, enhancing the port’s ability to handle increased volumes of goods and services.
The Lüderitz Town Council is also actively involved in these developments, working to attract businesses that support the port’s expanding operations and the broader economic activities linked to the green hydrogen and oil sectors.
As the plans to expand the port develop, Lüderitz will become one of the cornerstones of Namibia’s economic growth, driving regional integration and international trade under frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.
The expansion promises to transform Lüderitz into a hub for energy exports while also focusing on Namibia’s broader ambitions of leveraging its natural resources to fuel long-term economic development.
According to Gelderbloem, the port expansion will have a positive impact on the socio-economic development of Lüderitz and Namibia while also introducing a new era of growth and opportunity in the region.
Gelderbloem has assured that no work will begin until all environmental approvals are secured, with consultations being held to engage stakeholders and gather their input on the project.
