This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.

Overview

Namibia’s principal port, Walvis Bay is strategically located and supported by a network of well-maintained tarred roads that extends across Namibia into Angola, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and DRC. In addition to accessibility and efficiency, Walvis Bay is closer to North America and Europe than any of South Africa's ports.  Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have developed “dry port” facilities in Walvis Bay.

From 2003 to 2008, Namport, the state-owned port authority, saw the volume of bulk cargo processed through Walvis Bay grow by 87%, while the number of containers (as measured by Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) grew three and half times.  Currently, Walvis Bay’s container facility can handle 250,000 TEUs.  Anticipating further demand, the Port Authority solicited proposals in 2012 to double the container port’s capacity. The container port expansion project is underway and expected to be completed during early 2019. 

The Walvis Bay Corridor Group is a public private partnership (PPP) that pools the resources and authorities of both transport regulators and transport operators, effectively serving as a facilitation center and one-stop shop coordinating trade along the corridors linking Namibia to the rest of the southern African region. The Walvis Bay Corridor Group promotes a multi-modal transport system from Walvis Bay to Gaborone and the South African border post of Gauteng, to further develop Namibia as a western gateway to SADC and transport goods in two days to South Africa.  Companies interested in the spin-off effects (including road and rail system upgrades) resulting from the growth of Walvis Bay should consider contacting the WBCG.

Leading Sub-Sectors

Increased port activity offers opportunities for U.S. port equipment exporters. The following product categories may enjoy good demand: Quay cranes, container cranes, forklifts, top loaders, rubber tire gantry (RTG) cranes, power packs, and flatbeds. Additionally, as the port of Walvis Bay expands it will offer opportunities for purveyors of material handling equipment such as small forklifts, small trucks, and similar equipment.  Port information systems and logistics systems may also be in demand, although NamPort awarded a tender for a new port management system in 2015. Companies with expertise in ship and oil rig repair may also find opportunities.
Spin-offs effects resulting from the growth of Walvis Bay provide opportunities for companies in the following sectors:
RRE        Railroad Equipment
TRK        Trucks, Trailers/Buses
 

Opportunities

Due to the high level of growth, NamPort is constructing a new container port facility (once expansion is complete, the container port is expected to be able to handle 1,000,000 TEUs per year) on reclaimed land inside current port limits.  It is also in the process of deepening the harbor from 12.8 meters to 15 meters. 

Walvis Bay is also positioning itself to become a world class ship and oil rig repair facility.  RBG Ltd, and Elgin Brown & Hamer, the oldest ship repair company in South Africa, have established a joint venture (Elgin RBG PTY Limited) to provide support services to the African drilling rig and ship repair and upgrade market.  Walvis Bay is ideally suited to service oil rigs situated on the Angolan coast, as well as rigs that previously would have been serviced in South African ports (Cape Town and Durban) or further afield.

Construction and rehabilitation of the rail infrastructure (which is maintained by the government) is essential for the Port of Walvis Bay (NamPort) to meet its growth objectives. The state-owned rail company (TransNamib) is also in need of additional locomotives and rolling stock; however, it lacks the capital to acquire new equipment.  The government is reviewing how private investment (including FDI) might be applied to the rail sector.  There may be opportunities for firms to invest and/or provide equipment once the government has determined how it will open up the rail sector.

Web Resources

NamPort  http://www.namport.com
Walvis Bay Corridor Group  http://www.wbcg.com.na
Ministry of Works and Transport  http://www.mwtc.gov.na/
Roads Authority  http://www.ra.org.na/

 
 

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