Strategically located half way down the coast of Namibia, with direct access to principal shipping routes, Walvis Bay is a natural gateway for international trade.
Walvis Bay is Namibia's largest commercial port, receiving approximately 3,000 vessel calls each year and handling about three million tonnes of cargo. It is a sheltered deepwater harbour benefiting from a temperate climate. Fortunately, no delays are caused by bad weather.
In order to deal with even higher levels of throughput, Namport have steadily improved its cargo-handling facilities, and remains committed to infrastructure development.
Container terminal & equipment
The container terminal at the port of Walvis Bay can accommodate grounds slots for 3,875 containers with provision for 424 reefer container plug points. The technical services division, Namtech, provides reefer repair services at the port.
Namport uses a General Containerised Operating System, which enables the Container Terminal to render an efficient and streamlined service to our clients. The system computerises aspects such as gate control, ship to shore operations and container yard planning. In addition, clients can arrange remote access to the system.
The container terminal can host about 150,000 containers per annum, therefore various business development opportunities are being undertaken to facilitate imports and export containers at this port.
The arrival of the port’s fifth mobile harbour crane coincided strategically with the Port Expansion plan and vision to be the first-choice world-class service provider in Africa. The port can now attract ungeared ships, broadening the market scope of the port tremendously.
The marine equipment has been enhanced with the acquisition of its second larger tug (over 30 bollard pull). The fleet also includes two medium sized tugs and two smaller tugs which are being used for launching services.
Infrastructure upgrades
Continuous efforts are in place to upgrade existing infrastructure to ensure high service levels to clients at all times.
Deepening of the port: This project represents an investment of some N$50 million. The area of Berths 1, 2 and 3, the turning basin and the approach channel are now at a depth of 12.8 metres. From Berths 4 to 8, the depth is 10.6 metres.
Pelican Point Lighthouse: The Pelican Point Lighthouse has been fully automated and the lighthouse personnel transferred to other departments within Namport.
Strategic benefits – why use the Port of Walvis Bay?
• The Port of Walvis Bay is a secure, efficient, world-class port.
• The turnaround time is competitive, with handling times for container vessels of around 12 to 15 hours. Depending on the tonnage and shipment, the turnaround time for bulk vessels averages between 24 and 48 hours, while for break-bulk vessels it averages between 18 and 20 hours.
• The Port of Walvis Bay is a congestion-free port with minimum delays. The port currently handles 3 million tonnes and operates at 65 per cent of its capacity. Its total capacity equips it to handle 7 to 8 million tonnes of cargo.
