The huge new £240m mega-project transforming African country forever

In a monumental move for Namibia’s maritime sector, the Port of Walvis Bay has undergone a major transformation, positioning itself as one of Southern Africa’s most advanced container terminals.

Built between 2014 and 2019, the newly expanded terminal is now fully operational, revolutionizing the nation’s capacity to handle freight and increasing its role as a logistics powerhouse for the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

The expansion, which was commissioned in August 2019, saw the construction of a state-of-the-art facility on 40 hectares of land reclaimed from the ocean, forming part of a near £240 million investment.

With backing from the African Development Bank, which contributed a ZAR 2,982 million loan – representing over 70% of the total funding – the terminal is equipped to meet the growing demands of regional trade.

A massive infrastructure boost

This ambitious project included dredging over 3.9 million cubic metres of sand, which was repurposed for land reclamation, as well as the construction of a 600-metre quay wall, 304,000 square metres of paved surface, and numerous buildings for workshops and administration.

A new one-kilometre road, 2.3 km of rail lines, and essential service networks were also installed, further enhancing the terminal’s capabilities.

Perhaps the most notable addition is the installation of four cutting-edge ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, which are now key to the terminal’s operations.

In a further leap toward modernisation, the terminal’s electricity infrastructure was upgraded to ensure smooth and efficient operations.

Improved Capacity and Reduced Wait Times

The impact of these developments has been substantial. The expanded terminal’s capacity has skyrocketed from 355,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) annually to an impressive 750,000 TEUs.

Vessel waiting times have been slashed to under 8 hours, a significant improvement from previous delays, while container transit times have decreased from 14.5 days to just 9.5 days.

This reduction in waiting times has resulted in a noticeable uptick in demand. According to a report by the African Development Bank published in September 2020, the port’s services saw an 8% increase in demand following the terminal’s commissioning.

The surge in cargo volumes and revenues is expected to continue with projected annual growth rates of 5% in the coming years.

A boost to Southern African Trade

Beyond boosting Namibia’s own economy, the port’s expansion plays a vital role in connecting landlocked countries in the SADC region to global trade routes.

The facility is now an essential maritime access point for countries like Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, all of which rely on Walvis Bay’s port to move goods across international borders.

The completion of the terminal also had a ripple effect on employment, with 7 new pilots and 26 ship-to-shore crane operators being trained, including one woman, showcasing the inclusive approach taken in this massive project.

A vision for the future

This transformative development aligns with the African Development Bank’s High-5 strategic priorities, which focus on enhancing regional integration, driving sustainable infrastructure development, and boosting intra-Africa trade.

The Port of Walvis Bay is now not just a gateway to Namibia but a key player in Southern Africa’s trade infrastructure. With the successful completion of this expansion, Namibia has cemented its position as a maritime leader, ready to meet the demands of an increasingly connected global economy.

Looking ahead, the Port of Walvis Bay is poised for continued growth, offering a robust, future-proof platform to support the region’s ambitions of greater economic integration and trade diversification.

As the port continues to grow and evolve, its pivotal role in Southern Africa’s logistics network is becoming ever clearer – and with it, Namibia’s status as a critical player on the world stage.