Niël Terblanché
The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) celebrated its 30th anniversary and since 1994 when it was established, the authority has grown into a cornerstone of Namibia’s maritime economy while also playing a vital role in the country’s development.
Andrew Kanime, Namport’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), expressed pride in the authority’s accomplishments and added that Namport plans to build on its achievements by focusing on infrastructure development, strategic partnerships, and adopting new technologies to ensure sustained growth.
“It is truly humbling to celebrate 30 years, a milestone that marks our transition from youth to middle adulthood. This achievement reflects the incredible teamwork and dedication that has brought Namport to where it is today,” Kanime said.
He said that since its inception, Namport has experienced remarkable growth in both infrastructure and operations.
The authority’s asset base has expanded from an initial N$93 million to a staggering N$6.9 billion today.
Over the same period, the staff complement has grown from 318 to 820 employees, and its revenue has soared from N$57 million to N$1.7 billion.
Namport’s operating profit has increased substantially from N$14 million to N$650 million, reflecting its ability to adapt and succeed in a competitive global market.
Kanime said that in terms of cargo handling, Namport has witnessed a significant rise in throughput.
The number of containers handled has increased from 20,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) to 171,000, peaking at 330,000 TEUs in 2012.
Bulk and break-bulk cargo volumes have also risen sharply, from 1.7 million tons to over 8 million tons annually.
“These numbers highlight Namport’s role as a vital logistics hub, facilitating trade both within Namibia and across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region,” Kanime said.
Namport oversees two of Namibia’s major ports: the Port of Lüderitz and the Port of Walvis Bay.
The Port of Lüderitz was established in 1883, serving initially as a key harbour for German colonial interests.
He added that over time, it has evolved into an important gateway for trade in Namibia’s southern region and the Northern Cape of South Africa.
The Port of Walvis Bay has a long history, being declared a port in 1840. Originally serving as a whaling station, it has since transformed into one of Africa’s leading commercial ports, with deep-water capabilities that allow it to handle large vessels.
Following Namibia’s independence in 1990, Walvis Bay only became part of Namibia in 1994 after negotiations with South Africa.
This reintegration was a pivotal moment, leading to the creation of Namport under an Act of Parliament and setting the stage for the development of the country’s maritime sector.
Kanime added that Namport aims to further enhance its capacity and efficiency through strategic investments in infrastructure, equipment, and systems.
He indicated that one of the key initiatives is the shift to a landlord model, which will see Namport pursue partnerships to develop and expand port infrastructure.
“These developments are critical to meeting the growing needs of port users and customers,” he said.
The authority is also committed to maintaining its competitiveness in the global maritime industry.
“We plan to invest in state-of-the-art equipment, streamline our processes, and adopt innovative logistic solutions to ensure we remain a competitive player,” he said.
He added that Namport’s vision is to become one of Africa’s best-performing seaports, serving not only Namibia but the broader SADC region.
According to Kanima, the future looks promising for Namport, with planned investments in both the Port of Walvis Bay and the Port of Lüderitz.
He added that the plans include the concession of a new container terminal and the dredging of the Walvis Bay entrance channel, which will increase vessel-handling capacity and improve operational efficiency.
“The 30th-anniversary celebration is not only a reflection of Namport’s growth but also an opportunity to appreciate the dedication and hard work of its staff. Namport is what it is today because of the selfless contributions and commitment of each one of you,” he said.
He said that when Namport enters its next phase of growth, it will continue to uphold its values of collaboration, care, connection, commitment, and creativity.
“With a clear vision for the future, Namport is well-positioned to continue playing a key role in Namibia’s economic development and the broader maritime industry in Africa,” he said.
