Lüderitz port expansion in the pipeline

The last major expansion of the Port of Lüderitz was done 25 years ago when the main quay wall was built. There is, therefore, a strong case for the extension of the port’s Robert Harbour quay wall.According to Namport port engineer Elzevir Gelderbloem, Phase 1 of the envisaged expansion will double the port’s cargo handling capacity from three to six million tonnes per annum.“Namport is committed to ensuring that both Namibian sea ports stay ahead of the demand for cargo throughput capacity. The Port of Walvis Bay was expanded in 2019, and its cargo-throughput capacity was doubled,” he told attendees at a workshop hosted in Lüderitz recently.The existing Port of Lüderitz, located on 25 hectares of land, is bursting at the seams, he said.“We have 95% existing berth occupancy and port utilisation. It is best practice to expand your port when berth occupancy reaches 65%. The envisioned 250-metre extra quay wall length could accommodate one additional manganese carrier or two platform supply vessels. Customers for the expanded port are already at our gate.”Big plansAccording to Gelderbloem, the project would be implemented in phases, keeping in mind a total expansion plan in future. “Fifteen hectares of land will be reclaimed adjacent to the current port. The existing quay wall will be extended by 700 metres and this project will be implemented in phases, depending on actual demand,” he said of the proposed expansion.The first phase would see six hectares of land being reclaimed, and the existing quay wall extended by 250 metres. The construction process could commence in 2025 if all approvals are in place, for completion within 24 months, he noted.“The environmental impact assessment, including the archaeological study, is currently 85% complete. Financing, estimated at about N$2 billion, will be secured in the third quarter of 2024. Tenders will be issued for construction by the first quarter of next year, if all approvals and financing are in place. The construction process will be completed within two years and Phase 1 can be commissioned by 2027.”Gelderbloem further explained that Robert Harbour cannot easily expand due to the rock on which it is built, and the town which completely surrounds it. “All land plots are currently leased out and the berths are all over-utilised. The maximum depth alongside is 8.75 metres. Expansion of the current port is feasible, but at the same depth.”He added that Namport respects the historical significance of Shark Island and the need to preserve it. “The Robert Harbour quay wall extension project development is physically separated from Shark Island, since it occurs only in the adjacent waters east of Shark Island. All required environmental and archaeological impact assessment studies are currently being done - including an underwater inspection to look for any artefacts. No works will commence before all required approvals are in place.”

Lüderitz port expansion in the pipeline

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-19

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Lüderitz port expansion in the pipeline

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-19

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