Namport e-Newsletter

February 2021

Namport continues to be the preferred seaports in Africa

Namport achieves yet another milestone amidst the Covid-19 pandemic

The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) continues to remain relevant amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ports Authority recently handled 20,000 MT of bulk sulphur destined for the Zambian market.

Last month a bulk sulphur bagging operation took place at the Port of Walvis Bay in a joint operation led by Namport and Manica Group Namibia. This operation required bagging to take place while the vessel was alongside, with sulphur being fed into hoppers to attain a daily target of 3,000 MT.

The transportation of Sulphur into Zambia is expected to boost the copper export on the return load, which will bring about a reduction in freight cost and optimize the economies of scale for the Walvis Bay Ndola Lubumbashi Corridor. The copper is further exported to international markets such as China, Germany, Russia, to mention just a few.

The aforementioned activities affirm the strategic positioning of Namport as a connecting port, not only to landlocked countries in Africa but also to countries beyond the African continent. The volume growth is expected to be supported by the additional sulphur imports in bulk of 130,000 tons earmarked for the copper mines in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Manica Group Namibia was awarded approximately 22,000 square meters of land at the Port of Walvis Bay and they acquired two bagging systems which will be used for the bagging of sulphur at the quay. The availability of a bagging system will attract even more commodities to be handled by Namibian Ports.

Mr Immanuel Tino !Hanabeb, Executive: Commercial of Namport said that the aforementioned activities affirm the strategic positioning of Namport as a connecting Port not only to landlocked countries in Africa but also to countries beyond the African continent.

"The volume growth is expected to be supported by the additional sulphur imports in bulk of 130,000 tons per annum allocated for the copper mines in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This will provide a return load of copper from Zambia and DRC that will further increase copper exports from 18,000 tons to 40,000 tons per month."

NUMBER ONE

Namport stands testament to offering value-added services and expanding our client base to achieve our vision of becoming the number one seaports in Africa.

During this period, Namport achieved momentous milestones as our ports remained operational and staff members adhered to the COVID-19 compliance protocols and continued to exert their determination. Despite the negative predictions as shipping liner networks globally were disrupted and due to the severe effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, competitive ports were closed temporarily.

The total container throughput capacity overall increased by 10%; both ports combined handled 135,194 TEU’s (20-foot container boxes) in 2020/2021 (during the first ten months of the financial year) in comparison to the 128,779 TEU’s handled in 2019/2020.

The Namibian ports endured setbacks however preserved operational control and capabilities by handling a total cargo amount of 5 066 203 gross tonnages during the financial period 2020/2021 (1 April 2020 – 31 January 2021) in comparison to the previous year recording 4 346 153 gross tonnages for the financial period (1 April 2019 – 31 January 2020).

The 16.6% increase in total cargo handled was due to commodities imported increased significantly by 18% and commodities exported by 2% respectively in comparison to the previous financial period under review (1 April 2019 – 31 January 2020).

The best performing commodities imported copper concentrates improved by 197%, sulphur by 10% and a 37% upsurge in petroleum products in order to supply neighbouring countries.

The best performing commodities exported salt (bagged) increased by 141% and petroleum products by 100% respectively.

During the period under review, significant milestones were recorded as we continue to enhance our efficiencies and capacity to become the preferred gateway for the SADC market.

Firstly, the MV Mediterranean Bridge (CMA CGM) with a length of 335.63 meters and the Maersk Sheerness with a length of 335 meters docked at the Port of Walvis Bay.

Secondly, Maersk made further history when they broke their own African record for accomplishing 334 live (full) Reefer lifts on a vessel, SANTA ROSA destined for Europe.

Lastly, the Port of Luderitz has reflected the largest portion of growth by increasing activity recording a total of 360,000 tonnes of cargo per annum.

For the 2020/2021 year, the shipping market is experiencing a shortage of empty containers globally. Southern African ports have not been spared and the exports and imports of cargo are also affected heavily due to this shortage. All relevant stakeholders are working together to improve the supply of containers.

Namport and Namfi Cements Working Relations

The Namibian Ports Authority and the Namibian Maritime and Fisheries Industry (NAMFI) on Friday signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) for a comprehensive partnership for strategic training.

The agreement will offer both organizations excellent opportunities to expand the educational and training cooperation amongst their staff members, with a particular focus placed on maritime training and employment creation.  

Speaking at the event, Namport’s Acting Executive HR, Ms Suoma Kalulu said that Namport believes that maritime education and training is one of the tools through which the Port Authority’s strategic goals can be driven.

“Optimizing human capital effectiveness can only be realised if we continue to develop competent and motivated employees we as Namport place a high premium on human capital development”, she said.

Ms Maggy Sam, Director of NAMFI on her part said that this MoU is not only for educational cooperation between Namport and NAMFI but is a “contribution towards the fight to Namibianize the maritime industry and its waters”.

Through its in-house learning initiatives, Namport has an internal staff bursary programme whereby staff members take up post-graduate studies to improve themselves.

Over the past few years, Namport has also entered into MoUs with the International University of Management and with the Namibian Training Authority amongst others which have borne positive results.

Namport Social Investment Fund furnishes the Onawa Secondary School in Omusati region

Education remains pivotal to the development of Namibia and to ensuring that collective efforts are made into providing good quality education for the Namibian child.

It is against this background that Namport, through the Namport Social Investment Fund (NSIF), earlier this week donated 300 chairs and 300 desks valued at N$163,848.00 to the Onawa Secondary school after the school requested assistance late last year.

The need for additional furniture became evident after the school, due to its outstanding performance, witnessed an influx of learners from surrounding towns and villages. The school has over 800 pupils enrolled for the 2021 academic year.

Speaking at the event, Governor of the Omusati region, Honourable Erginus Endjala commended Namport through its Fund for opening its generous hands to the Omusati region. He further urged the learners to “take good care of the furniture so that future generations can benefit from this kind of donation”.

Handing the desks and chairs over to the school on behalf of NSIF, Mr Amos Shiyuka, NSIF Trustee member, challenged other schools to follow the excellent example set by the Onawa Secondary School in terms of academic performance and dedication to a better future displayed by the leaners at the school.

The Minister of Education and Culture, Honourable Ester Anna Nghipondoka, could not hide her joy about the acquisition for the school and applauded the learners for achieving outstanding Grade 10 results in the 2020 external examination, despite the challenges faced in the education sector due to the rampaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other sponsors such as the August 26 Company and Red Cross Namibia also followed suit and donated a hostel block and ablution facilities, hand sanitisers and cleaning materials respectively. This joined handover was a reinforcement of the notion that it indeed takes collective efforts from society and the business world in educating a child.

In the past financial year (2018/2019) alone, Namport has invested 1,1 million Namibian dollars in the education system countrywide.

NSIF will inaugurate two classrooms which were constructed at a cost of N$300,000.00 to the Five Rand Primary School in the Otjozondjupa Region in the month of March. 

The Ports Authority has always played an active role in supporting the education fraternity across the country and further strengthened its stance in 2017 when the Ministry of Education introduced the Friends in Education initiative.

For the past 15 years, Namport has reached out to Namibian communities through its Social Investment Fund, which was established on four values which are; Entrepreneurial and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Development, Health, Education and Environment.

Namport Procedures to safeguard against Ebola

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued warnings with regards to Ebola Communicable Disease outbreak in West Arfican Countries. As a result the Authority deems it prudent to implement measures to safeguard our ports against the exposure to the threat posed by vessels visiting our ports.

Please Click HERE for a MEMO on EBOLA from the desk of the Port Captain.

WHO Advice