Staff Writer
The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) announced that it has handled one million tons of cargo carried along its four trade corridors from 01 April 2019 until 31 March 2020.
Immanuel !Hanabeb, Executive: Commercial at Namport said the Port of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz had contributed equally to the success by recording 5,561,999 tons of cargo handled during this last financial year 2019/2020.
“The largest portion of growth is reflected by the 100 percent increased activity along the Trans-Oranje Corridor as 204,301 tonnes of manganese ore was exported via the Port of Lüderitz. The benefit of the Trans-Oranje corridor is to serve the mines in the Northern Cape as it is a much shorter route versus using a South African based port,” he said.
This comes as Manganese imported through the Port of Lüderitz increased from 30,000 tons per month to 60,000 tons.
“This increase will double the annual throughput from this commodity to 720,000 tons. Due to these developments, Namport is currently in discussions with the Oldendorff Shipping line to have a barge option. A barge is a long flat-bottomed boat for carrying freight on canals and rivers, either under its own power or towed by another,” he said.
!Hanabeb said the company’s existing arrangement with the South African mines will see a expected 60 percent increase in overall volume passing through the Trans-Orange Corridor.
“This unique initiation between TradePort Namibia logistics deal came into fruition early last year. The first consignment was received through the Port of Lüderitz in September last year. This arrangement will further contribute to Namport recording a total of 360,000 tons of cargo per annum through the Port of Lüderitz, resulting in a predicted 60 percent overall volume increase as the Trans-Orange Corridor increases its share of cargo volumes,” he said.
!Hanabeb said the company had recorded positive volumes along its various corridors in the past financial year 2019/2020 ending 31st March 2020.
“Imports such as ship spares, steel, sulphur, and ammonium nitrate and steel imports performed well in comparison to the previous financial year 2018/2019. Ship spares exports increased significantly due to the increased number of vessels at anchorage for repairs and maintenance. The increase of marble to international markets, leading to a 26 percent increase compared to the previous financial year,” he said.
The Namport Executive said sulphur imports increased by 10 percent compared to the previous financial year as the demand for ammonium nitrate also increased by 150 percent during the period under review.
“Steel imports increased by 88 percent due to the various projects presently underway within the region and Namibia,” he said.
