Southern Africa: Namport Fast-Tracks N$30-Billion SADC Gateway The looming reality of Botswana starting to export coal to Asia has prompted the Namibia Ports Authority (Namport) to fast-track the construction of the additional port, which is earmarked to be the gateway port to the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) land-locked countries. The port, dubbed the SADC Gateway Port, is to be constructed on 1 330 hectares of port land between Bird Island and Kuisebmond in Walvis Bay. Construction costs are estimated at about N$30 billion, and will be done in phases. The first phase is for the construction of a tanker berth and fuel storage facility at a cost of N$1.6 billion. The first phase is expected to commence as early as next year.
Government has indicated willingness to back up the financing of the new port. "The SADC Gateway Port is becoming a reality as the expansion of the port One style each line, program picks one randomly during posting. [http://myphoenixsun8s.weebly.com/ [url=http://myphoenixsun8s.weebly.com/]jordan 8 phoenix suns[/url]] is already a done deal. The tender of the port expansion will be awarded next month and construction is expected to start in December this year. However, the realities and demands of our neighbours have pushed us to fast-track the northern port. The anticipated coal transportation from Botswana to Asia, which will be done via the port of Walvis Bay, is one of the main reasons why we have to be ready for this huge development," Namport Chief Executive Officer Bisey Uirab said during a media briefing held yesterday on the terms of development envisaged by Namport. Uirab indicated that government has already agreed to back up the financing of the construction of the new port. "Our competition is all over the world since the services we offer can also be offered from ports elsewhere. In fact, only 20 percent of the cargo that is handled at the Port of Walvis Bay is destined One style each line, program picks one randomly during posting. [http://mysquadronblues13s.weebly.com/ [url=http://mysquadronblues13s.weebly.com/]squadron blue 13s[/url]] for Namibia and the rest One style each line, program picks one randomly during posting. [http://mybugsbunnys8s.weebly.com/ [url=http://mybugsbunnys8s.weebly.com/]bugs bunny 8s for sale[/url]] is for the Southern African Development Community. Thus we need to constantly re-invent ourselves to guarantee efficiency and customer satisfaction," Uirab said. According to the port engineer, Elzevir Gelderbloem, the new SADC Gateway Port would contain a world-class ship and rig repair yard plus an oil and gas supply base.
A huge undercover dry bulk terminal, car import terminal, passenger terminals and most possibly a container terminal if needed are also planned. Multipurpose and break bulk terminals, backup storage areas, dry ports, a small craft harbour and port control tower, a new high capacity rail, road, pipeline and conveyor link to the area behind Dune 7 will be constructed as well. Gelderbloem further explained the fast-tracking of the SADC Gateway Port is very critical for Namport in terms of importing and exporting as the current port, even with the planned port expansion, would not be able to handle all the development that is expected to take place at Walvis Bay. "Currently we are looking at the exporting of crude oil most possibly, and coal and various other products which can only be beneficial for us." He said the SADC Gateway Port would be linked to the Walvis Bay Industrial Park that is also expected to be constructed behind Dune 7 on Farm 58. The park will be linked via rail and road to the SADC Gateway Port.