STAFF WRITER
Namibia Ports Authority (NamPort) Chief Executive Officer Andrew Kanime says the newly commissioned three mobile harbour cranes will significantly increase capacity to handle cargo at Walvis Bay and Luderitz ports.
He said they will also go a long way in increasing operational efficiency and productivity levels, enhance our value proposition to our customers through elevated service delivery and quality levels and enable us to streamline our operational costs through reducing maintenance costs, reduced waiting and down time, thereby enabling us to remain cost effective and competitive.
“We have previously acknowledged that our aging fleet of cargo handling equipment has been a source of frustration to all of us due to the frequent equipment breakdowns which were being experienced.
“In response thereto, we committed to gradually modernise our fleet in order to minimize service disruptions and enhance our productivity levels. I am therefore truly humbled to note that today marks a giant leap towards our continuous drive to fulfill our customer promise,” he said.
He said the continued investments in our superstructure, infrastructure and equipment are at the core of our strategy and vision to be the best performing seaports in Africa.
“As you are aware, Namport is at the core of not only facilitating SADC and Namibia’s integration into global trade networks but that we are also a catalyst for socio-economic development for Namibia and the Region.
“This is premised on the fact that our ports serve as engines and multipliers of opportunities which support livelihoods throughout Namibia and the SADC region.We thus understand the developmental impact of our role, and this investment seeks to ensure that we continuously reinforce our role as an enabler of regional trade and socio- economic development,” Kanime said.
He said the commissioned cranes will go a long way in strengthening the ports authority’s status as leading regional gateways to global markets.
“About a third of the total cargo handled through our ports is what we call cross-border cargo, being the cargo destined for or originating from our landlocked neighbours. Ninety-five percent (95%) of this cross-border cargo is transported through our corridors by road, with only about five percent (5%) conveyed by rail.
“Therefore, whereas enhancing quayside performance through investments in cranage is imperative in supporting Namibia’s standing as a reliable regional gateway, returns on these investments will not be fully realised without the complementary development and growth of land side facilities such as our rail, roads, integrated border management, harmonised regulations and appropriate technology to support and facilitate trade” he said.
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