The Walvis Bay Container Terminal is under the operation of the Namibian Port Authority (Namport). It serves as a gateway that links some of the continent’s southern major trading regions, to international markets. At an estimate, its total project cost was about ZAR3,419 million (UA252,12 million). Quite impressively, the project strives to increase the annual handling capacity from 355,000 TEUs up to 1,005,000 TEUs.
Construction works for the Walvis Bay Container Terminal were completed in September 2020. Furthermore, it successfully achieved the progressive goal of increasing the container terminal capacity. From 355,000 TEUs to the current, 750,000 TEUs per annum capacity for the container terminal.
Moreover, an increase in berthing moves per hour (BMPH) from 20 to 24. As a result, the waiting time for vessels decreased from over 8 hours to less than 8 hours.
Reported On 16 March 2015
Namibia’s US$243mn port expansion project reaches 25% completion
1.250 million Cubic meters of land has undergone reclamation in the expansion of Namibia port at Walvis Bay. The project, which is progressing well, is planned to end within the time frame set by the contractor. China Harbour Engineering Company, last week said. The land reclamation deadline is set for February next year.
The Namibia port expansion project, which involves the construction of a modern port, will seek to make it the preferred port of choice for Southern Africa Development C and other landlocked countries. Â 600m of quay length will increase to the current 1500m. In addition to annual capacity receiving a boost of up to 350 000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) by adding more 650 000 TEU.
The project manager, Yuangfei Feng, said the port construction operation is 25% complete and on track, with the whole projected completion date of March 2017. Â The deadline for quay walls is by April 2016 while the revetment need is by August the same year. The revetment will need 400 000 cubic meters of different types of rock. Alongside geotextile material, and will constitute placing different layers of the same.
“Our first major deadline is on February 4 next year when reclamation of the land must be complete. Thereafter, we have to complete the quay walls by April 2016 and in August the revetment,” he said.
There are over 24 workers on site and two bulldozers, one long-arm excavator, two normal excavators, three loaders, and 41 trucks, among others.
“We also have made a sandbag cofferdam, which prevents the dredged material and muddy water from overflowing during the process of reclamation,” he said.
Deeper Insight
Construction vessels, anchor boats, suction dredgers,s, and plastic pipes are in use to help in the construction of the sandbag cofferdam at the Namport.
“We have 26 months to complete the work. A substantial amount of work is done. Furthermore, due to its high demand for concrete, a cement batching plant was built at the port. We have put up an onsite laboratory to ensure that all materials that are in use in the production of the concrete for the post-expansion is of the highest international standards and meet the requirements of the contract,” he said.
He said local procurement over the 36 months will be 31.8 percent as per contract details. This means that one billion dollars will go to local contractors. He said they were enjoying a good relationship with local sub-contractors.
Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) was planning to increase cargo volumes by 70% in 2020 and AfDB had last year signed a loan for the expansion project. Â
