Namibia’s Port of Walvis Bay is entering a new phase following the long-awaited handover of container operations to Terminal Investment Namibia (TiN), a subsidiary of Terminal Investment Limited (TiL).
The port’s revamped container facility, upgraded at a cost of $300 million, will now benefit from private sector management starting October 1, 2024, after delays pushed the original timeline back from 2023.
TiN, a joint venture between state-owned Namport and TiL (a subsidiary of MSC), will be responsible for the port’s operations under a concession agreement. In a statement, Namport expressed excitement about the partnership: “Namport and TiL are pleased to announce the handover of the container handling operations to TiN.”
The agreement aims to attract private capital to invest in the port’s infrastructure, including widening and deepening the entry channel, acquiring modern equipment, and improving efficiency.
Namport’s CEO, Andrew Kanime, emphasized the strategic significance of this development. “This partnership underscores our commitment to improving port operations and addressing the growing demands of the Namibian and regional markets,” Kanime said.
The upgraded terminal is expected to play a pivotal role in establishing Namibia as a key logistics hub in Southern Africa by increasing shipping connectivity, vessel traffic, and container handling capacity.
Despite these improvements, the port has faced challenges. Willie Prosser, managing director of Novaship, commented in March 2023 that the expected surge in cargo volumes following the port’s revamp had not materialized as anticipated, citing a slower-than-expected recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
High shipping rates have also contributed to Walvis Bay losing business, according to industry insiders like Sarah Walker, formerly of Stacks Logistics.
Capable of handling 750,000 TEUs, the new agreement with TiN is expected to enhance Walvis Bay’s competitive edge.
This development comes at a critical time, as neighboring Angola’s Lobito Corridor—connecting the Port of Lobito to the DRC’s Copperbelt—has gained industrial traction.
The corridor offers a shorter route for the transportation of copper and cobalt, posing a competitive threat to Namibia’s logistics aspirations.
To counter this, the Walvis Bay Corridor Group has proposed the North-West Corridor (NWC), which would shorten the hinterland route through Namibia’s Zambezi region into Zambia and the DRC.
However, infrastructure development along this route, particularly road construction through critical mining regions like Kolwezi (DRC) and Solwezi (Zambia), has fallen behind schedule.
In the meantime, TiN’s takeover of operations includes urgent plans to dredge the port’s entrance channel to a depth of 16 meters, allowing for larger vessels to dock and increasing the port’s cargo handling capabilities.
Namport believes that these improvements will help Walvis Bay meet its volume goals and bolster its position as a regional logistics hub.
