WALVIS BAY, African Global Logistics (AGL) has begun operations of a modern terminal in the Port of Walvis Bay, and the opening of the terminal has been a big investment of almost N$200 million in the maritime infrastructure of Namibia. The new Walvis Bay Multipurpose Terminal will improve the capacity of the port to carry bulk and break-bulk cargo, but it will also offer an alternative trade route and better connectivity to the world markets in the region.
The plant will minimize the ship turnaround time, and the freight rates will be made more competitive, which will help Namibia in its overall goal of making the country a strategic logistics centre in Africa. The terminal is one of the major moves towards the modernization of the maritime and transport industries within the country because it will enable the involvement of the private sector in running the port.
In his official opening speech, AGL managing director Ben Stenning stressed that the company is committed to Namibia in the long term. Our goal is to have Walvis Bay as a global portal to Africa. The facility will lead to efficiency, reduce freight costs, and create the capacity that is required to handle the largest vessels. It is a statement of our confidence in Namibia, and our commitment to becoming a growth driver in the country as a strategic logistics hub, he said.
Stenning also emphasized that the investment of the company is not only in the port terminal. Under its AGL Energies brand, AGL has started building two oil and gas bases in Walvis Bay and Lüderitz (5 hectares and 25 hectares, respectively). It is projected that these facilities will be in operation by the end of next year, when Namibia will have fully moved on to production in the energy sector.
The new terminal is also generating employment for the local communities, and there are 120 individuals who are currently working in the facility. AGL intends to contribute back to the community in which it operates through its social responsibility programs, which further help in ensuring that the company is committed to inclusive development, besides its business activities.
According to Namport CEO Andrew Kanime, the terminal was a step towards the transformation of the ports into an integrated logistics hub in the country. He also pointed out that the development proves the relevance of the collaboration between the government and the business. It is vital to collaborate with the business world. We understood five years ago that we had modest resources available to us and had to realign our focus. We soon discovered that the only way to accomplish our vision of becoming the best-performing seaports in Africa was through collaboration and establishing partnerships, Kanime said.
Kanime also notes that a partnership with private actors enables Namport to focus on common-use infrastructure, with specialized contributions of the private sector to increase its efficiency. He further added that it improves the competitiveness of Namibia and supplements the efforts of the government in ensuring its national development and economic growth.
The Walvis Bay Multipurpose Terminal not only enhances the role of Namibia in regional and international trade, but it also represents the increasing trend of strategic private investments in infrastructure in Africa. The increased port capacity, freight efficiency, and community engagement are some of the ways in which AGL and Namport are creating a more connected and competitive logistics network throughout the region.
