WALVIS BAY – In collaboration with Cleanergy and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the Namibia Ports Authority (Namport) will introduce the world’s first hydrogen-powered vessel to Namibian waters.
Namport and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges also signed an agreement focusing on the development of the north port of Walvis Bay.
Briefing President Nangolo Mbumba and King Philippe of Belgium recently, Namport CEO Andrew Kanime said they are leveraging off the foundation laid by the bilateral agreement.
“The gracious foresight of our political leaders has put us in a global front-runner position as partners to develop green energy in Namibia, focusing on green hydrogen and its various carriers, such as green ammonia, for the mutual benefit of both Namibia and Belgium, and in furtherance of the drives towards energy independence, carbon neutrality, and economic development,” he said. The ambitious initiative marks a significant stride towards sustainable maritime transportation, with Namibia taking the lead in championing green hydrogen by capitalising on the abundant wind, sun, water and land resources.
Namibia is set to play a key role in the world’s quest to use renewable energy and natural resources to decrease the carbon footprint globally.
Kanime said green hydrogen is considered one of the main enablers of the energy transition as a source to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors.
He went further, adding that Namibia has high ambitions to harness the country’s natural resources into a hub of green energy production and, as such, become a catalyst for its green industrialisation.
Namport has further set itself the long-term strategic goal of migrating from the current hybrid port authority operator model to a pure landlord model.
As such, the partnership with the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International “presents a great opportunity to learn from the same path that our counterparts have already walked, he said.
“They are, without doubt, one of the biggest, best and most advanced ports in the whole world. It, therefore, stands to reason that launching from the springboard of a mutually-beneficial memorandum of understanding, this partnership provides a streamlined transition for Namport to the top tiers of the best port authorities in the world,” Kanime continued.
Speaking on the same occasion, Port of Antwerp-Bruges CEO Jacques Vandermeiren highlighted that climate action is urgently needed, and collaboration is key to addressing this challenge.
He underscored the importance of energy transition, and the work being done by Antwerp-Bruges to support this effort while acknowledging the support of key stakeholders, including the Belgian government and private companies, in their efforts to make a positive impact.
“I am a firm believer in doing, and port authorities and private companies are doers. When we have problems, we come together and find solutions, and in this case, through this agreement,” he stated.
The energy revolution presents a chance to strengthen ties between Belgium and Namibia, with Namibia serving as a green molecule production hub, and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges as a European market gateway.
According to him, Antwerp-Bruges International and Namport will produce a development framework and green hydrogen roadmap for Walvis Bay to prepare the port for future energy and industrial investments.
“The Port of Antwerp-Bruges understands the complexity of developing strategic projects of national interest, and can bring both public and private parties together in the right capacity,” he said. -edeklerk@nepc.com.na