Niël Terblanché
The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) hosted its annual Port Users’ Dinner, which also coincided with the 30 years of the reintegration of Walvis Bay into Namibia and the establishment of Namport.
The event at the Walvis Bay Civic Centre on Friday evening was attended by key stakeholders, maritime professionals, and government officials, celebrating the pivotal role the port plays in the nation’s economy.
Delivering the keynote address, Erongo regional governor Neville Andre highlighted the profound transformation of Namport over the last three decades.
He reflected on Walvis Bay’s historical significance as a cornerstone of Namibia’s maritime identity, transitioning from a fishing-centric port to a vital hub for trade, tourism, and logistics.
“This bustling port city has expanded to become a key player in facilitating seaborne trade across Southern Africa,” he said.
Andre lauded Namport for its operational excellence and modernisation, praising the seamless collaboration among industry stakeholders that has driven Namibia closer to its vision of becoming a regional logistics hub.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing the sector through improved port infrastructure, streamlined customs processes, and connectivity to key markets, aligning with the sixth National Development Plan.
He stressed the sector’s essential role in Namibia’s economic development.
“Your roles extend far beyond that of mere port users or stakeholders; you are essential partners in our nation’s growth,” Andre stated while urging the industry to continue striving for excellence.
Namport’s chief executive officer, Andrew Kanime expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their unwavering support and partnership.
He reflected on Namport’s strategic evolution into a landlord business model, fostering private-sector participation to enhance port competitiveness.
“One of our most important achievements was the concession agreement with Terminal Investment Namibia, aimed at modernising container handling operations and driving employment growth,” he said.
Kanime stressed Namport’s strategic shift towards supporting Namibia’s industrialisation agenda.
“Leveraging the nation’s abundant renewable energy resources, Namport is establishing industrial clusters within its ports to facilitate the beneficiation of raw materials,” he said.
According to Kanime, this move aligns with Namibia’s broader goal of reducing reliance on the export of unprocessed resources and fostering value addition locally.
He said that the Namport Board, management, and staff are dedicated to building on an already strong foundation.
“With renewed commitments to operational efficiency and innovative partnerships, Namport is poised to cement its status as one of Africa’s leading maritime institutions,” he said.
Kanime encouraged Namport’s stakeholders to continue their collective efforts to achieve even greater milestones in the years to come.
