Tridock Shipyard Namibia (Pty) Ltd is planning to develop a $728 million drydock facility at Walvis Bay.
The state-of-the-art facility is expected to initially generate US$150 million (N$2.7 billion) annually, with forecasts that it will likely double this revenue within three years of commissioning, according to a recent report in Mining & Energy.
The project is expected to create as many as 1 000 direct jobs as well as downstream employment opportunities, according to a document leaked to the publication.
“As the largest drydock shipyard on the West Coast of Africa, this project will offer unparalleled capabilities, attracting clients globally and potentially becoming the premier destination for maritime operations in the region,” the document said.
“The project will stimulate local employment, trade and economic growth, making a substantial contribution to Namibia’s development.”
The drydock facility will cover a 65-hectare site and will be able to accommodate vessels up to 300 metres in length and 50 metres in beam. It will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It will also provide services to offshore oil rigs, dredgers, and large offshore mining vessels that often travel to South Africa for major repairs.
Construction is expected to start in 2026 and the facility is expected to be commissioned by 2031. Environmental Impact Assessments are under way for the project.
This comes after a market study was conducted in 2023 to assess vessel traffic along the south-western coast of Africa.
The study found that there was a mid-case total annual potential of 188 vessel repairs, including 85 commercial fleet vessels of 200 metres in length overall (LOA) or smaller, and 91 commercial fleet vessels between 200 and 300 metres LOA.
