Namport sells an alternative to Eastern Cape shippers

A FOCUS on reefer businesses at Walvis Bay and an
expansion of the Port of Luderitz are selling points
used by the Namibian Port Authority (Namport) to
entice exporters from the Eastern Cape.
Port Elizabeth has the home province port, and
Cape Town’s port is closer. But expanding services
at Namibia’s ports and their key locations on
major shipping routes are selling points that should
make Eastern Cape shippers aware that there are
now alternatives.
Eastern Cape exporters of beef and agricultural
commodities might be interested to know that
cold boxes are proliferating at Walvis Bay. A new
reefer terminal spans 9700m² and will house
256 reefer containers by the time the facility is
completed in December. Currently the port has
a reefer capacity of 248 units. The doubling of
unit accommodation shows Namport’s confidence
in the port’s future as a shipping point for
perishables.
“Not just Namibian fish and grapes, but fruit
and meat exports from other SADC countries
will use the port,” said JoAnn Stevens, Namport’s
corporate communications officer.
This winter Namport sent a team of officials on
a tour of SA corporations to promote Walvis Bay
and Luderitz as an alternative to Cape Town.
Security has been tightened at Walvis with the
installation of television surveillance and electronic
card access requirements this past year.
As for Luderitz, since taking over the port in
1995, Namport has taken steps to transform it
from a small facility serving local fishing to an
all-purpose port set to receive regional exports.
Adding impetus to the effort has been the
sprouting of industries in the Luderitz area, with
their own import and export needs.
Local clients are essential for Namport, but the
port authority has regional ambitions, and is casting
longing glances at Eastern Cape exporters.