The Ministry of Works and Transport and the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) yesterday signed a partnership under the Namibia–Korea Green Port Strategy Programme.
Namport has been selected as a flagship beneficiary under the International Port Development Cooperation Programme. The programme is a partnership between the African Development Bank and the ministry of oceans and fisheries.
The agreement will support the development of a 10-year Green Port Policy, Strategy, Investment Plan and Implementation Roadmap for Namibia.
Namport chief executive officer Andrew Kanime said the signing marks an important moment for Namibia’s maritime sector.
“This is a defining moment in the evolution of our ports. It places Namibia at the forefront of Africa’s green transition in port operations,” he said.
Kanime said Namibia’s selection shows international confidence in the country’s policies and its ability to implement sustainable projects. He said maritime transport is key to global trade and economic growth, but ports must now focus on sustainability as well as efficiency.
Namport manages the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. The company began its green transition in March 2022, when its board decided to transform the two ports into environmentally friendly, future-ready facilities.
The decision led to the development of Namport’s Corporate Sustainability Policy. The policy is built on four pillars: corporate social investment, environmental stewardship, economic prosperity and good governance. Kanime said sustainability is not a cost but an investment in long-term competitiveness and national development.
Under the environmental stewardship pillar, Namport aims to reduce emissions by promoting low- and zero-carbon fuels, improve air and water quality, and strengthen infrastructure to withstand climate risks such as rising sea levels and extreme weather. The plan also includes protection of marine ecosystems, including the Walvis Bay Lagoon, as well as better ship waste management and habitat protection.
The green transition supports Namibia’s national development goals and is aligned with continental and global frameworks, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Partnership
Through the partnership, Namport will receive technical support and funding to develop a detailed 10-year strategy, supported by an investment plan and a clear implementation roadmap.
Kanime said the support from the African Development Bank and the Government of Korea will help Namibia move from policy to action.
“This is not the end of a process, but the beginning of a transformative journey,” he said.He added that the partnership will help make Namibia’s ports greener, cleaner, safer and more competitive, while protecting the environment and supporting economic growth. Assistant director for port investment cooperation, ministry of oceans and fisheries, Republic of Korea, Lim Ching Hwan, James Ng’ang’a, ports and maritime transport Infrastructure Officer at the African Development Bank, said the bank is excited to be part of the project.
He said talks between Namibia, Korea and the bank started in December 2024. He described the discussions as positive and cooperative.
“I would like to congratulate the governments of Namibia and Korea for reaching this stage,” he said.
Ng’ang’a said the African Development Bank signed an agreement with Korea in December to support the programme. He said Namibia has clear policies and a strong ability to implement projects.
He explained that after studies and analysis are completed, key priority projects will be identified. These projects may then be considered for financing by the African Development Bank and other partners.
He added that the bank will support Namibia from the planning stage through to investment.
Assistant director for port investment cooperation, ministry of oceans and fisheries, Republic of Korea, Lim Ching Hwan said, the signing marks the beginning of the commitment to elevating bilateral cooperation in the port sector to new heights, as well as a joint pledge to tackle the defining challenge of our time: the climate crisis.
“While ports serve as gateways to national economies and core infrastructure for global supply chains, they are also recognised as major contributors to environmental burdens, including greenhouse gas emissions,” she said.
Sustainable ports
In response to the international community’s call for a transition toward sustainable ports encompassing decarbonisation, the shift to eco-friendly energy, and the establishment of efficient, automation-based operational systems, the Republic of Korea has designated the “smart” and low-carbon, eco-friendly transition of our ports as a key national agenda and has actively advanced related policies.
Speaking at the event, Kanume said the signing marks an important step in Namibia’s long journey toward modern, strong, and sustainable infrastructure.
He described the milestone as a key moment in efforts to improve the country’s ports. He said Namibia’s ports are not just gateways for trade. They are important national assets that support economic growth, regional integration, and industrial development.
As global shipping changes quickly due to environmental, technological, and energy shifts, Kanime said Namibia must remain competitive, efficient, and ready for the future.
“Today’s signing shows that sustainability and competitiveness are no longer separate goals. They must be achieved together,” he said.