Namibia celebrates maritime heritage with new museum

President Nangolo Mbumba says the ocean is a significant contributor to Namibia’s economy.

He said this at the opening of the Namibia Maritime Museum at Lüderitz in the //Kharas region on Tuesday.

The ocean provides jobs, food, minerals, transportation, energy resources, ecological services and tourism opportunities.

The maritime museum forms part of the second phase of the Lüderitz Waterfront Development Company.

It is envisaged to become the ultimate resource for discovering the country’s maritime history and celebrating the ocean’s important role in the history of the country, the president said.

“Measuring a length of 1 572km along the Atlantic Ocean, the Namibian coast is a unique location with a long history . . .

“It is where the inhabitants of this land first had contact with people from other countries and continents, engaging in trade.

“Indeed, our maritime history deeply intertwines with trade, exploration and cultural exchange. The Namibia Maritime Museum will play an integral role in properly capturing, documenting and representing Namibia’s maritime heritage and the contribution our people have made to global seafaring,” Mbumba said.

The Cabinet endorsed the Namibia Maritime Museum concept in 2009 as part of the waterfront’s second phase.

The idea was conceptualised by the late Abraham Iyambo, a former minister of fisheries and marine resources, in 2004.

Phase 2 of the broader Lüderitz Waterfront Development Company initiative is expected to include the construction of a 150-bed seaview hospital, a waterfront hotel, and housing.

Current amenities include the waterfront and the old power station that is home to Namibia University of Science and Technology offices an auditorium, and gym, among others.

Angel Tordeseillas, the honorary chairperson of the Lüderitz Waterfront Development Company, at the event said the museum was constructed at a cost of N$450 million, funded by the government.

It will serve as a hub for marine research and education, he said.

The museum houses diverse exhibitions, including antiques, fossils and maps, all showcasing the rich tapestry of the country’s maritime legacy.

The museum also boasts displays of a fishing processing units, maritime trade, offshore exploration of oil and gas and the mining of seabed diamonds, as well as the history of navigation and the age of exploration.

//Kharas governor Aletha Frederick said the development serves as a beacon of hope for economic growth, cultural preservation and educational advancement, while simultaneously positioning Lüderitz as a premier tourist destination.