Namport seeks partners for N$4bn container terminal

Namport seeks partners for N$4bn container terminal OGONE TLHAGE



WINDHOEK

The Namibia Ports Authority (Namport) is looking for a private partner to co-manage the N$4.2 billion Walvis Bay new container terminal, owing to decreased volumes witnessed, it said.

As part of the initiatives to increase the volumes of containers handled at the Port of Walvis Bay and to increase the returns accruing from the investment in the new container terminal, having the terminal managed by a private operator is currently being explored, Namport CEO Andrew Kanime said.

He said consideration would be given to parties that have capacity to develop volumes of cargo through the terminal, with some of them having relationships with shipping lines and the ability to determine the flow of cargo, especially trans-shipments. Parties that have expertise in the operation of ports, the ability to increase port efficiencies and have financial resources to invest in equipment and infrastructure will also be preferred.

“Government, as the shareholder of Namport, has decided that more value may be derived for the country if the private operation of the new container terminal is combined with the process of seeking an investor for the National Single Window and the Walvis Bay Special Economic Zone,” Kanime said.

Enter Investment Board

The process to identify a private sector partner will be facilitated by the newly established Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), he said.

“This process is being coordinated by NIPDB and an expression of interest has been issued to the market, inviting potential investors to participate in the three project streams, which are jointly named the Walvis Bay Industrial Development Initiative,” Kanime said.

Namport spokesperson Tana Pesat said the company would only be able to respond today when pressed on the terms of reference for the envisaged partnership and the rationale for the arrangement.

The World Bank had previously advised government to consider managing the container terminal on a public-private-partnership model in 2018.