The Namibian Ports Authority continues to make positive strides, with its latest figures indicating the total year-on-year cargo handled amounted to 6.5 million tons, indicating an increase of 6%. Vessel visits also increased by 289 vessels or 22%. The increase in vessel calls was predominantly due to an increase in petroleum vessels, Namibian and foreign fishing vessels, foreign tugs as well as research vessels.
These impressive figures were achieved despite the parastatal experiencing numerous challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, global container shortage and blank sailings. Despite these ongoing challenges, Namport recorded positive growth during the 2021/2022 financial year.
The ports authority also announced that Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) handled amounted to 168 278, of which 61 106 TEUs or 36% were exported. A further 69 467 TEUs or 41% were imports and 37 705 TEUs or 22% were transshipments. TEUs increased by 12 298 or 8%, year-on-year.
According to Namport CEO Andrew Kanime, the increases were mainly due to increased containerised commodities such as copper, charcoal, frozen fish, marble, frozen poultry, sugar, chemicals, scrap steel and wooden products. Namport further indicated that bulk and breakbulk (BBB) volumes handled amounted to 4.4 million, of which, 1.8 million tonnes or 40% were exports, 2.6 million tonnes or 59% imported, and 34 709 tonnes or 1% were transshipped.
Overall, the BBB volumes increased year on year by 360 189 tonnes or 9%. This increase came as a result of increased commodities such as petroleum, steel, frozen fish, ammonium nitrate, iron ore, marble, ship spares, manganese ore, and flat cartons.
“The volume performance is certainly commendable given the tough operating environment that characterised the financial year that was. Cross border volumes statistics also show that cross-border volumes increased by 10% from 1 464 000 gross tonnages during the 2020/2021 financial year to 1,606,984 gross tonnages during the 2021/2022 financial year,” read a Namport statement.
Namport further stipulated that at least 48% of the cross border volumes originated from South Africa, 23% from Zambia, 15% from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zimbabwe and Botswana 6% each, 2% from Angola and 1% from Malawi.
According to the latest statistics, major commodities exported from SADC countries through Namibia are currently copper, manganese ore, and wooden products (timber). Major commodities imported to Namibia destined to SADC countries are frozen poultry, vehicles, machinery, spare parts, tyres, chemicals for mining use, electrical goods and electrical equipment.
Namibian ports also handle an assortment of cross-border cargo imports and exports via four main trade corridors; Trans-Kalahari Corridor, Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor, Trans- Cunene Corridor and Trans-Oranje Corridor.
These corridors connect Namibian ports to the respective SADC markets namely Zambia, DRC, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Angola and form an integral part of an aggressive approach to developing the ports as preferred SADC gateways.
Top performing SOE
Meanwhile, last week Thursday, 2 June 2022, Namport scooped two out of six awards at the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) forum that took place in Oranjemund. The Namibian Ports Authority received awards in the Governance and Compliance as well as in the Best Public Image categories.
These awards aim to honour public enterprises whose performance has demonstrated commitment towards furthering stakeholders’ expectations over the previous financial year 2020/2021 and those that have significantly improved their performance.
Receiving the awards, Namport’s Commercial Services Executive Elias Mwenyo attributed the win to the relentless commitment and collaborative efforts of all Namport employees towards the authority’s dream of becoming Africa’s best performing seaport. “This is indeed an indication that our hard work is bearing the necessary fruits and that Namport is undeniably a force to be reckoned with,” said Mwenyo.