THE realisation of the N$4 billion container terminal at Walvis Bay is proof that Namibia, despite being a small nation, can achieve great things for the benefit of the economy, speakers at the launch of the event said on Friday.
The terminal is built on 40 hectares of land reclaimed from the Atlantic Ocean in five years.
Just 25 years ago, Walvis Bay was reintegrated into an independent Namibia, and has since developed from a small fishing port to an international port that facilitates regional trade and economic development, and is able to market itself as an express logistics hub that can compete with some of the best in the world, especially in Africa.
In fact, Namport director Nangula Hamunyela said that a decade ago, Namport received urgent requests from some of the largest shipping companies to develop the port to accommodate the larger vessels, and to do so in a short period. The initial project was completed in recorded time, which included deepening of the channels and berths, as well as increasing the container storage and handling capacity. The latest development is the continuation of enhancing service capacity, while expanding trade opportunities for the region.
At Walvis Bay’s integration 25 years ago, founding president Sam Nujoma said: “From today, Walvis Bay becomes a strategic gateway to the emerging markets of southern and west Africa, as well as those of Latin America.”
Walvis Bay now links Namibia and its landlocked neighbours to the Americas, Europe and Asian markets as well.
Not only that, but the project has put Namibia on par with countries such as Australia, Brazil, Dubai and the Netherlands in the utilisation of reclaimed land for port expansion.
The terminal will increase Namport’s container handling capacity from 350 000 units to over a million units.
China Harbour Engineering Company’s vice president, Li Yi, said his company has participated in more than 100 projects in 90 countries, and that the Walvis Bay container terminal “was one of the most challenging”.
According to him, the project was built among the softest soils in the world which required the minds of 100 experts from 30 countries to understand and overcome. The hydrogen sulphide gasses also “tricked” the project, hence stringent health and safety and environmental conservation measures had to be adhered to.
During the five years, 2 000 Namibians worked five million man-hours without lost time to injury, and 800 of these workers enjoyed on-site skills development and experience.
The project also saw N$200 million going towards the development of SMEs and engaging local companies for goods and services. A further N$1,2 billion was spent in the local economy, according to Yi.
The container terminal has also increased Namport’s assets to N$7,6 billion, keeping it on top of the list of successful Namibian parastatals.
The port and logistics sector in southern Africa is volatile and dynamic – always shifting posts with the developments of new road and rail networks linking Namibia with the same landlocked countries.
For this reason, it is crucial for Namibia to stay relevant and competitive through new developments. SADC is home to about 200 million people and contributes 28% of the continent’s GDP.
It is also for this reason that work on the ‘Gateway Port’ north of the current harbour has started with the near-completion of a fuel jetty and storage facility. This new development is on an area of 1 400 hectares.
According to Hamunyela, these projects will require “significant financing” and therefore smart partnerships with the private sector for projects of national importance were crucial. Chinese ambassador to Namibia Zhang Yiming called the container terminal (which is the largest single project since independence) “one of the most important economic achievements between Namibia and China.
“The port does not just belong to Namibia, but also to its neighbours and Africa. This will become a development engine for the national economy and international trade,” he said.
Noel Kulemeka of the African Development Bank Group said the bank attaches great importance to infrastructure development in all its member countries, because infrastructure is key to the inclusive growth of productive sectors.
He said Africa’s infrastructure financing needs are about N$2,5 trillion (US$170 billion) a year.
“We are cognisant that infrastructure gaps on the continent stifle economic growth,” he said, adding that infrastructure development is one of the core priority areas identified in the bank’s 10-year strategy.
The African Development Bank partnered with Namport in developing the terminal, which is considered a “transformational regional infrastructure project” with a loan of about N$3 million complemented by a grant of about N$14 million for the logistics and capacity building component.
“This operation is one of our largest project partnerships with Namibia besides the support under the ongoing Economic Governance and Competitiveness Support Programme,” said Kulemeka.
Since independence, the bank has contributed N$19 billion to Namibia’s economic development efforts, making Namibia the second largest portfolio in southern Africa.
President Hage Geingob, who inaugurated the terminal last Friday, said the container terminal is a milestone and another indication that Namibia continues to make great strides towards collectively achieving its developmental objectives as outlined in its national development plans.
adam@namibian.com.na
