Following oil and gas discoveries in Namibia’s orange basin, the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) has revealed massive plans for expansion of the Ports of Walvis Bay and Luderitz which will be predominantly driven by partnering with the private sector.
Affirming this, Chief Executive Officer, Andew Kanime last week highlighted that Namport will collaborate with private sector to develop required infrastructure through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) arrangements adding that these infrastructure development plans take cognisance of the oil industry and are aligned to accelerated timelines for the various phases.
“Private sector players will be sourced by open public tender, with strict local content requirements and local participation in both ownership and operation is a key imperative,” he said.
He went on to emphasise that while the ports are critical catalysts for the oil and gas industry, the success of the industry depends on all parties contributing and collaborating to realize the logistics and energy hub vision.
“Both the Port of Walvis Bay and Port of Luderitz will continue to serve the oil and gas industry, albeit in varying degrees of intensity. Namport has adequate plans in place to support the oil and gas industry in both ports and provisions for ramp up in line with industry progression,” further stated Kanime.
He also said that due to existing engineering sector in Walvis Bay and the need to ensure sustainability post the development phase, the Port of Walvis Bay is better placed to support the heavy engineering aspects of the development phase, suffice to say the Port of Luderitz to the extent possible should play a part.
There are no plans to build ports at Oranjemund or Elizabeth Bay as there is adequate existing and planned capacity in Namibia’s existing two ports.
Revealing some of the expansion plans slated for Luderitz, Kanime noted that Angra Point development is to be built, with first ammonia export berth commissioned by 2028.
“Once additional berths are built the existing dry bulk operations will be relocated from current port to new port. Oil and gas activities will expand further and continue at the current port,” he said.
While this Angra Point development is planned under a PPP arrangement, other developments planned using a PPP model are the Walvis Bay north port one-stop-shop supply base, Liquid mud plants and graving dock at the Port of Walvis Bay north port.
“At Walvis Bay, 200 hectares of prime shoreside land has been set aside to set up one-stop-shop world class oil and gas supply base at the North Port. Phase 1 consists of 200 metres berth and 30-50 hactares of backup land,” he said.
It has been reported that Namport is seeking private investment for a N$40 billion port infrastructure expansion drive. The project in Walvis Bay and Luderitz involves the construction of new berths and quay walls to support drilling services, Kanime was quoted saying by Bloomberg.
Plans for expansion are expected to commence in the last quarter of next year which will take about three years at most. The expansion plans also include other extensions to cater for multiple-platform vessels. Namport will provide land for the development and then invite private companies to establish operations, Bloomberg further reported.
“Namport has set mandatory local participation requirement (i.e ownership and operation) for foreign companies intending to set up oil and gas supply base and liquid mud plants to complement the local capacity building and empowerment drive. Local entrepreneurs have great opportunities to be part of the service providers for multitude of services to be provided from the supply base,” Kanime said.
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