Milestone for port authority
Milestone for port authority

Milestone for port authority

Otis Finck
Congestion experienced in the port of Dar es Salaam, coupled with a go-slow strike in Durban, is proving to be a blessing in disguise for the port of Walvis Bay.

A consignment of 4 000 tonnes of high-density ammonium nitrate arriving at Walvis Bay will be the largest shipment of its kind to be exported via Namibia to Kitwe, Zambia.

Ammonium nitrate is a fertiliser and when mixed with other products it can be used as an explosive in mining operations. Kitwe is renowned for its copper and manganese mines.

Ockert Maritz, the business development manager of Crossroads Distribution Namibia (CDN), hailed this as a ground-breaking exercise for the company, the port of Walvis Bay and African Warehousing and Logistics (AWL) Zambia.

Maritz said the project would inject much-needed revenue into the port of Walvis Bay and the Namibian economy.

“The estimated revenue of N$14 million is a magnificent income stream for Namibia and for the port of Walvis Bay, as well as the town. This mission also supports the strategic vision of the country to develop the Zambian corridor and the country as a regional hub.”

The shipment will also open up opportunities for the Walvis Bay-Zambia corridor.

“If we are successful it will definitely lead to other ventures in future. Global companies are very interested in this project and are keeping a close eye on its execution,” Maritz said.

He explained that due to congestion experienced in the port of Dar es Salaam, coupled with a go-slow strike at the port of Durban, landlocked countries are struggling to bring in cargo at the moment.

OTIS FINCK

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-30

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