Niël Terblanché
The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) has achieved a new milestone by handling a record-breaking 8 million tonnes of cargo during the financial year ending 31 March.
This volume represents a 4% increase from the previous year’s total of 7.7 million tonnes, indicating robust growth and operational efficiency at Namport.
In a statement on Monday, Elias Mwenyo, Namport’s executive of commercial services, said the significant growth in the exportation of various goods was the primary driver of the increase.
“Notable increases were seen across several categories: bulk salt grew by 10%, copper concentrate by 12%, while frozen fish surged by an outstanding 29%,” he said.
According to Mwenyo, other significant contributors included manganese ore, which increased by 15.7%, and marble, with a remarkable growth of 41%.
He said that the import sector also saw substantial gains, with petroleum imports marking a 26% increase, showcasing the strategic importance of Namport in facilitating regional trade.
“The importation of other commodities such as ammonium nitrate, wheat, ship spares, and steel also experienced significant growth,” he added.
According to Mwenyo, the number of vessels calling at Namibian ports surged by 29% year-on-year, rising from 1,636 to 2,115.
“This increase was driven by heightened activity across various vessel categories, including foreign tugs, dry bulk vessels, and containerised vessels, among others,” he said.
Operational improvements were evident in the increased occupancy rates of Syncrolift facilities, where the repair jetties’ occupancy soared from 64% to 96%.
“However, bay occupancy at the Syncrolift experienced a slight decline from the previous year,” he said.
Mwenyo attributes Namport’s success largely to its strong collaborations with key stakeholders, including the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, shipping lines, cargo owners, government agencies, and the larger port community.
“These partnerships, along with the dedication of Namport’s workforce and the trust placed by customers in the port’s amenities and services, are pivotal to its ongoing success and vision to become the best-performing seaports in Africa,” he added.
Mwenyo said that this record-setting performance not only enhances Namport’s reputation but also stresses its critical role in boosting Namibia’s economic landscape through efficient maritime logistics and trade facilitation.
