Plans to upgrade port face changes

THE Namibia Ports Authority (NamPort) is expecting a jump in construction costs for the expansion of the port of Walvis Bay.

Due to increase in the price of steel and energy, NamPort is prepared to look at a bigger price tag than the initially projected N$1,2 billion. “The technical and financial feasibility study on the quay extension and deepening of the port will be completed before the end of this month,” said Wessel Feris, NamPort’s Acting Executive for Marketing and Strategic Business Development, in an interview with Nampa yesterday.Feris noted that with the rising costs and the funding yet to be finalised, there might be changes in the project’s timetable.According to the plan unveiled last March, the construction is set to start in August this year.The expansion is scheduled for completion in 2012.The project includes works such as the deepening of the harbour and extension of container terminals.The upgraded port would serve 190 million people in southern Africa alone, attracting traffic from neighbouring countries.In addition, NamPort is looking forward to boost tourism with a new waterfront to be developed in conjunction with the Municipality of Walvis Bay.Nampa”The technical and financial feasibility study on the quay extension and deepening of the port will be completed before the end of this month,” said Wessel Feris, NamPort’s Acting Executive for Marketing and Strategic Business Development, in an interview with Nampa yesterday.Feris noted that with the rising costs and the funding yet to be finalised, there might be changes in the project’s timetable.According to the plan unveiled last March, the construction is set to start in August this year.The expansion is scheduled for completion in 2012.The project includes works such as the deepening of the harbour and extension of container terminals.The upgraded port would serve 190 million people in southern Africa alone, attracting traffic from neighbouring countries.In addition, NamPort is looking forward to boost tourism with a new waterfront to be developed in conjunction with the Municipality of Walvis Bay.Nampa