Walvis Bay’s new deep water container terminal is due to start operating on August 24 after it was officially inaugurated on Friday, August 2.
Namport has already started moving equipment from the existing 350 000-TEU container terminal to the new 750 000-TEU terminal, which has four super post-Panamax ship to shore gantries to replace the current rubber tyred gantries.
Using a combination of modern equipment, automation and intensive training Namport is aiming at 20 to 25 moves per hour initially, with productivity going up to the international standard of 40 moves per hour.
Investment in the new terminal is part of the Namibian government’s strategy to establish the country as the preferred global trade gateway for neighbouring countries.
That includes the Gauteng industrial complex as the new terminal will provide an alternative to strike and delay-plagued Durban.
Speaking at the official inauguration ceremony, Namibian president Haige Geingob said “our ability to buttress the facilitation of intra-African trade depends on our willingness to establish well-developed and well-integrated transport infrastructure systems throughout our country, region and continent.
“Let us, therefore, keep our economy going - moving products, moving people and making sure that the Port of Walvis Bay, Namport and Namibia continue to offer world class facilities”.
For a detailed report from Walvis Bay see this week’s print edition of FTW.
SOURCE: FTW Online
http://www.ftwonline.co.za/article/194024/Africa-s-newest-container-terminal-due-to-come-on-line/69
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