PORT OF WALVIS BAY

PORT CONTACT DETAILS

Namport Head Office, Walvis Bay tel +264 64 208 2011

Port Control: +264 64 208 2265

Port Captain: +264 64 208 2258

Corporate Communications: +264 64 208 2111
email marketing@namport.com.na

Port Limitations: The Chart in use for approaches to Walvis Bay is BA chart number 4134 (INT 2611), dimensions of the berths 1-3 is 154400 and berths 4-8 is 182000. The distances between bollards 1-26 is 19m (i.e. berths 1-3), while from bollards no 27-86 is 15m (berths 4-8) respectively.

The length of the entrance channel is 5.2 nautical miles, width 134m, depth -14m CD. Ships can anchor within port limits, and are protected by the bay.

Marine Craft: Tug assistance is normally required. The port has two firefighting tractor tugs of 31t and 27t bollard pull. There are also two Azimuth-propelled tractor tugs, with bollard pulls of 28t and 23t, respectively and a further two Azimuth-propelled pusher tugs of 12t and 10t bollard pull, respectively. One passenger launch is used, and is certified to carry 30 passengers. There is also a grab dredger/anchor-handling barge with an 80 cubic metre self-propelled hopper.

Port Volumes: The latest available statistics for the Port of Walvis Bay is for the fiscal year 2011/12. In that year the port handled a total of 6,210,285 tonnes. This included a total of 334,410 TEUs. 1625 ships called at Walvis Bay in that year. -- source Namport

Port Facilities: The port is a compulsory pilotage area. Requests for pilots need to be directed to the Port Captain prior to arrival. Port Control directs all shipping movements within port limits. It keeps a 24-hour VHF radio watch on channel 16, and works on channel 12 and 14. A Vessel Traffic Control System was implemented in 2004. Professional diving services are available on request through the Port Captain.
Marine Services working hours are Mondays to Fridays 06h00-22h00; on Saturdays between 06h00-12h00, on Sundays and public holidays between 08h00-12h00 and 13h00-17h00. Overtime is available on request.
Bunkering Fuel is provided via pipeline at Berths 1-5, and by road transport for other berths. Bunker fuel transfers in the inner anchorage are subject to prior approval by the Marine Division of the Department of Transport and the Port Captain, and are monitored.
Fresh water can be supplied at any quay at a rate of 15t an hour (maximum of four hoses per vessel). Water can also be supplied by tug, but this requires the Port Captain's prior approval. Walvis Bay experiences water shortages from time to time, and limitations on water supply may be imposed. Medical Facilities include on-site clinics and a state hospital -- the latter also offering dental facilities -- are available in Walvis Bay. Special cases can be treated in Windhoek, which is 400km inland.
Waste: Only garbage disposal is available at Walvis Bay.
The port of Walvis Bay hosts numerous cruise ships in size up to and including the 150,000 ton Queen Mary 2. The port is serviced by a number of ships agents, ship chandlers and other support services.

General

Namport is a state-owned entity founded in 1994 after Namibia's independence in 1990.

From humble beginnings as fishing harbours in Walvis Bay and Luderitz, the company has embraced the surge in the economies of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the past two decades. Today, industrial and commercial activities are the biggest industries in Walvis Bay with the port receiving up to 5000 vessel calls per year (including fishing vessel calls).

The Port of Walvis Bay, situated at the west Coast of Africa provides an easier and much faster transit route between Southern Africa, Europe and the Americas.

The Port of Luderitz, located along the southern coast of Namibia caters for Southern Namibia as well as providing access to markets in the Northern Cape of South Africa.

Namport remains a major service provider for Namibian and the 220 million people within the Regional Economy -- through its Transocean and land Corridor Links, as well as through the creation of International and Regional Offices with Dry Ports as the Port of Walvis Bay for Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

This national asset also manages a Syncrolift (dry dock facility) lifting vessels up to 2000 tonnes for repairs. Through its subsidiary, Elgin Brown & Hamer (EBH), Namport also operates three floating docks with lifting capacity of 6,500, 8,000 and 15,000 tonnes respectively.

In 1998, Namibian Ports Authority embarked on the first substantial expansion plan in 40 years by refurbishing the quays in Walvis Bay and deepening the port to -12.8 metres. This has subsequently been increased to -14m depth and the quay lengthened. A further investment in Luderitz was undertaken for a new cargo and container quay two years later. In the same year, Namport was instrumental in establishing the Walvis Bay Corridor Group which seeks to ensure sustainable cargo for the countries of the SADC region and provide the best means of access for their markets.

Namport has subsequently continued with ongoing equipment upgrades and infrastructure expansion in order to ensure capacities exceeding 6 million tonnes per annum and over 350,000 TEUs. Walvis Bay is recognised as a transhipment hub for the entire west coast of Africa serving the major container liners of the region in the most efficient and cost effective manner.

The port's container terminal at Walvis Bay can accommodate ground slots for 3875 containers with provision for 482 reefer container plug points. The container terminal can host about 350,000 containers per annum, therefore various business development opportunities are being undertaken to facilitate imports and export containers at this Port. Current major projects include:

The Ports of Walvis Bay and Luderitz are positioned for the preferred access to markets in Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola and Botswana. These destinations are all well served by the following corridors established by the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (www.wbcg.com.na)

Namport continues to play an important role in facilitating these trade corridors to ensure improved border crossings, facilities and infrastructure benefits to transporters by engaging all stakeholders across all the relevant countries to ensure proper regional integration for the benefit of its customers.

The Port of Walvis Bay enjoys a reputation of efficient operations, competitive pricing, secure facilities and rapid turnaround of vessels with no congestion.

PORTS & SHIPS monitors the regular movement of ships' ETAs at Walvis Bay -- please go HERE to do so.