Namport revenue plunges by N$362 million

The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) recorded a 12% decline in revenue to N$2.512 billion during the 2025/26 financial year, down from N$2.875 billion the previous year.The decline was attributed to weaker cargo volumes, regional mining disruptions and falling exports, despite a 44% increase in container traffic to 365 190 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), compared with 253 929 TEUs in 2024/25.Namport’s integrated annual report for the year ended 31 March states that cargo volumes lagged behind targets during the first part of the financial year amid production disruptions at regional mines.Power-supply constraints affected the production of semi-processed ores for export, while demand for imported raw materials used in mineral processing also weakened."As a result, revenue for the year fell short of budget, although it increased significantly in the last quarter," the report states.Operating costs Namport cushioned the impact through reduced expenditure and cost-cutting measures, with group operating expenditure falling by N$198 million, or 13%, to N$1.319 billion.At authority level, operating profit increased by N$41 million, or 5.3%, to N$814 million. However, group earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) declined by N$96.7 million, or 10.2%, to N$851 million.Overall cargo handling fell by 24%, from 8.418 million tonnes in 2024/25 to 6.361 million tonnes in 2025/26.General cargo volumes declined from 6.336 million tonnes to 5.961 million tonnes, while cross-border cargo fell from 2.448 million tonnes to 1.961 million tonnes.Namport attributed the weaker performance to softer regional demand, mining and energy constraints, infrastructure dependencies and changing cargo-handling patterns.Delays in completing warehouse projects at both ports, increased containerisation, regulatory challenges, adverse weather and weaker global demand also affected cargo volumes.Several major export commodities at Walvis Bay recorded steep declines. Fish and seafood exports fell by 53%, charcoal by 58% and copper and lead concentrate by 52%.Marble and granite exports plunged by 81%, from 126 682 tonnes to 24 572 tonnes, while bulk salt volumes dropped by 50.5%.Petroleum imports, however, increased by approximately 10% to 1.83 million tonnes, consolidating petroleum's position as the Port of Walvis Bay's largest import commodity.Container businessContainer handling was a notable exception to the broader decline, with volumes rising by 44% to 365 190 TEUs.Namport attributed the growth to improved operational efficiencies following the concessioning of the new container terminal, stronger integration into MSC's global shipping network and increased transhipment volumes.The concession, effective from 1 November 2024, marked a shift from a traditional port-operating model towards a landlord-port model.Namport reported 590 employees during 2025/26, comprising 553 permanent and 37 contract employees. Women accounted for 26% of the workforce, while the authority estimated its broader economic impact at approximately 3 300 people.nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Namport revenue plunges by N$362 million

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-03

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Namport revenue plunges by N$362 million

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-03

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