Namport sets new cargo-managing record of 8m tonnes

The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) reported managing a record-breaking 8 million tonnes of cargo for the fiscal year ending 31 March.

This is in contrast with the 7,7 million tonnes handled in the previous financial year.

The increase shows a 4% rise in real terms.

Namport says its main source of income is the export of products, which includes zinc/lead concentrate, frozen fish, copper concentrate, salt, and bagged salt.

“In particular, there was a 10% increase in bulk salt, a 12% increase in copper concentrate, a 1% increase in salt-bagging, a 29% increase in frozen fish, a 15,7% increase in manganese ore, a 2,9% increase in zinc/lead concentrates, and a 41% increase in marble,” it says.

The importation of several commodities increased significantly during the 2023/24 financial year.

“Most remarkably, petroleum increased by a significant 26%. Notable increases were also seen in the imports of steel, ammonium nitrate, wheat, ships’ spares, copper concentrate, and wheat,” Namport says.

In addition, the port reported a noteworthy 7,9% rise in items imported compared to the prior fiscal year.

“The number of vessels calling on Namibian ports increased by 29% year-on-year during the fiscal period that ended, rising from 1 636 to 2 115 calls.

“This increase was mainly caused by increased activity in a number of vessel categories, such as foreign tugs, dry bulk, containerised, foreign, petroleum, Namibian, research, and general vessels,” the port states.

Additionally, there was a rise in the occupancy rate of Syncrolift facilities throughout the reviewed financial year, and the occupancy of the maintenance jetties increased from 64% to 96%, while the bay occupancy fell from 52% to 47% in the preceding fiscal year.

Namport says building and preserving strong ties are important, including with the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, shipping lines, cargo owners, governmental organisations, and the greater port community.