Ports of Walvis Bay and Luederitz plan for the future

NAMIBIA has vast potential to become a major centre for regional and international transport through the Ports of Walvis Bay and Luederitz.

At the fourth Intermodal Africa Exhibition and Conference currently underway in Swakopmund, 265 delegates from 23 countries are discussing the challenges and opportunities in promoting trade in the region through the development of transport infrastructure. At the opening ceremony, Captain Wong Chung Toi, Chairman of the Pan African Ports Corporation (PAPC) as well as the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA), said port managers and stakeholders are challenged to adapt to the fast-changing economic environment.He said although African ports play a significant role in trade between African countries, only three per cent of the global containerised trade pass through the continent’s ports.The People’s Republic of China is the most dynamic world economy, he said, and the Asian country’s intention to invest massively in Africa presents a golden opportunity for African countries to enhance logistics, transport and port facilities.To be competitive, however, transport systems must integrate all modes of transport – road, rail, ship and plane, said the managing director of Transport Events Management, Rory Doyle.According to Works, Transport and Communication Minister Joel Kaapanda, Namibia is well under way to this integrated ideal with the completion of the Trans-Caprivi and Trans-Kalahari highways and the current construction of the Northern Rail Link to Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.Kaapanda said the remaining challenge for Namibia and countries in the region is to develop new business and economic opportunities presented by the infrastructure.”I am confident that ports infrastructure within the Southern African Region can play a vital role in the economic development of the entire sub-Saharan Region,” said Kaapanda.Doyle said developed transport infrastructure would reduce the cost of doing business in Africa and enhance the continent’s competitiveness in world markets.”We need to take a deep interest in the future of transportation systems in Africa, so that we can create that future,” he said.In his opinion, the Port of Walvis Bay has emerged from an ancient and archaic port into a modern one during the past decade.The Port of Walvis Bay handles close to four million tons of cargo a year, including over 77 000 containers.Some 3 000 vessels are received by the port every year, with all vessels berthed within less than one hour of arrival.About half of southern Africa’s trade is westbound, said Doyle, but eighty per cent of the trade passes through the region’s east coast.”There is a great business opportunity to redirect a massive share of trade from the region to Europe and America through Walvis Bay,” he said.The conference is complemented by some thirty exhibitors including shipping lines, railway operators, freight forwarders, logistics companies and various suppliers of the latest equipment.The conference and exhibition ends today at the Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre.At the opening ceremony, Captain Wong Chung Toi, Chairman of the Pan African Ports Corporation (PAPC) as well as the Port Management Association of Eastern and Southern Africa (PMAESA), said port managers and stakeholders are challenged to adapt to the fast-changing economic environment.He said although African ports play a significant role in trade between African countries, only three per cent of the global containerised trade pass through the continent’s ports.The People’s Republic of China is the most dynamic world economy, he said, and the Asian country’s intention to invest massively in Africa presents a golden opportunity for African countries to enhance logistics, transport and port facilities.To be competitive, however, transport systems must integrate all modes of transport – road, rail, ship and plane, said the managing director of Transport Events Management, Rory Doyle.According to Works, Transport and Communication Minister Joel Kaapanda, Namibia is well under way to this integrated ideal with the completion of the Trans-Caprivi and Trans-Kalahari highways and the current construction of the Northern Rail Link to Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.Kaapanda said the remaining challenge for Namibia and countries in the region is to develop new business and economic opportunities presented by the infrastructure.”I am confident that ports infrastructure within the Southern African Region can play a vital role in the economic development of the entire sub-Saharan Region,” said Kaapanda.Doyle said developed transport infrastructure would reduce the cost of doing business in Africa and enhance the continent’s competitiveness in world markets.”We need to take a deep interest in the future of transportation systems in Africa, so that we can create that future,” he said.In his opinion, the Port of Walvis Bay has emerged from an ancient and archaic port into a modern one during the past decade.The Port of Walvis Bay handles close to four million tons of cargo a year, including over 77 000 containers.Some 3 000 vessels are received by the port every year, with all vessels berthed within less than one hour of arrival.About half of southern Africa’s trade is westbound, said Doyle, but eighty per cent of the trade passes through the region’s east coast.”There is a great business opportunity to redirect a massive share of trade from the region to Europe and America through Walvis Bay,” he said.The conference is complemented by some thirty exhibitors including shipping lines, railway operators, freight forwarders, logistics companies and various suppliers of the latest equipment.The conference and exhibition ends today at the Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre.

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