August 2020

Namport's New Container Terminal turns one

August will remain the month where we as Namport made history not only in Namibia but also in southern Africa by being the very first port to successfully and safely reclaim land from an ocean.

Last year on 02 August, Namibia witnessed the inauguration of the New Container Terminal by H.E Dr Hage G Geingob, President of the Republic of Namibia. On 24 August of the same year, the New Container Terminal was commissioned and officially started with operations. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent regulations in place, the Namport family could not celebrate the 1^st anniversary in true Namport fashion.

Speaking on the eve of the anniversary, Mr Raymond Visagie, Operations Executive, who was the Acting CEO at the time of the one year anniversary celebration said that the main reason for not celebrating such an important development was due to the invisible enemy in our midst compelling us to socially distance from one another.
 

"Colleagues, these celebrations are extraordinary in the sense that we not only celebrate one year of existence of the NCT, but we also celebrate our faith and perseverance which has helped us to overcome many other challenges. I sincerely believe the same faith and perseverance will see us through the economic turmoil and the COVID-19 pandemic." 
 

He added that the investment in the expansion and upgrading of Namport’s container handling capacity was necessary to decongest the old terminal and to expand both container and general cargo handling capacities as well as to provide the opportunity for much-needed repairs to the old quay infrastructure.

"This speaks to our mission which is to provide world-class port services to all seaborne trade by offering excellent customer service, creating sustainable growth, and promoting social responsibility, dedicated to the transformation of Namibia into a global logistics hub."
 

Over the past twelve months Namport has achieved the following milestones:  

• The NCT provides direct employment to a total number of 281 employees and if one considers an average family size of 5 people, indirectly supports the livelihood of 1405 Namibians.
• Thirty-three (33) operators successfully completed intense training to operate the STS cranes deployed at the NCT.
• 115,146 (TEU’s) were handled in just eight months of operations, and we remain optimistic that this upward growth trajectory will continue;
• 5 maiden calls from vessels which previously bypassed the Port of Walvis Bay were recorded
• We have achieved a record-breaking 46 berth moves per hour on a vessel during March 2020 
• The new passenger jetty has welcomed ten (10) passenger liners, translating into more than 5000 international tourists visiting the Port city of Walvis Bay.

The Acting Chief Executive Officer attributed these successes to the unwavering spirit of dedication and teamwork of men and women carrying the Namport flag and wholeheartedly thanked all staff members in a video recording dedicated to celebrating the day.

Mr Visagie further paid reverence to the colleagues who found themselves in isolation and quarantine facilities due to COVID-19 and wished them a speedy recovery.

“I wish us all a Happy 1^st Anniversary of operations at the New Container Terminal and as we celebrate this great milestone, let us take good care of ourselves and our families” concluded Mr Visagie.

Malta Donates Potatoes To Namibia

Namibia recently received a donation of 500 tons of potatoes from Malta through the Port of Walvis Bay. The donation from the small Mediterranean country is in aid of those who are affected by the ongoing drought and COVID-19 pandemic.
 

Governor of the Erongo region, Mr Neville Andre, confirmed that 160 000 people from the most vulnerable communities in the Erongo and Khomas regions will be the main beneficiaries. The potatoes are packed in 7kg bags each and will be distributed to community members in the respective constituencies in the two regions.
 

The governor called upon the beneficiaries not to sell the potatoes. “Consume it with your families, as there is a serious need for food security in our country.” He thanked the government of Malta for their generosity and goodwill towards Namibia.

The consignment arrived in Walvis Bay on Saturday, 15 August 2020, in 20 refrigerated containers and in good condition.

The saying that charity begins at home rang true when Namport Management provided care packages to all staff members during the month of August, with the aim of sharing the burden brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

The care parcels contained essential immune-boosting supplies as well as basic nutritional food items. Staff members were delighted and overjoyed by the gesture. This rang true to the Namport values.

WBCG Medical Doctors Receive Face Shields

FREIGHT FEATURE: Walvis Bay corridor best in region – AUC

(Sourced from Freight News)

The Corridor from Walvis Bay in Namibia through Zambia and into the DRC is the best-developed, safest, least congested and quickest route in the region for exports and imports into Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), says Traolach Moylan, marketing and business development manager of Africa Union Cargo (AUC).
 

The company has developed and is operating a 30 000sqm multipurpose dry port situated within the Walvis Bay harbour precinct.  “Over the past 12 years AUC has developed strong relationships with Namport, transporters, shipping lines and clearing agents, allowing us to offer a most economical, safe and efficient cargo handling and logistics solution,” says Moylan.
 

The Zambia terminal is the result of a joint agreement between the Zambian and Namibian governments which allows Zambian importers and exporters to have a dedicated facility inside one of the most efficient and safest ports in Africa, he adds.
 

Users of the facility enjoy the benefits of an efficient and cost-effective terminal and contribute towards the Zambian fiscus as the government of Zambia is a shareholder in the terminal, he adds. Situated around a kilometre from the new Namport Container Terminal, the facility has 72 reefer plugs, a reach stacker, forklifts and experienced staff.

 
Suitable for all types of cargo, it is split into two sections of 10 000sqm and 20 000sqm respectively. There is a direct rail line and siding so that all modes of cargo can be received either by road or rail.
 

Clive Smith, who joined AUC as CEO in January, has implemented several new measures to ensure that service standards are improved. “Our philosophy is that we have partners rather than clients, thus our focus is geared towards delivering high-impact value through sustainable relations with all our stakeholders,” says Smith. 
 

World Health Organisation and Namibian government Covid-19 regulations are being strictly enforced to ensure the safety of all staff and partners. “AUC and the Zambia terminal have a close-knit relationship with the wider corridor stakeholders to ensure that cargo moves quickly while adhering to all safety measures for drivers and cargo alike through our borders during these testing times,” he says.

SOURCE:  https://www.freightnews.co.za/article/freight-feature-walvis-bay-corridor-best-region-auc

WHO COVID-19 Advice