The European Union (EU) announced plans for a partnership with the Port of Rotterdam and Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) to support the planning of the Lüderitz Port expansion in Angra Point.
The agreement forms part of the EU–Namibia Strategic Partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials. Recently, the EU hosted the EU’s Africa regional workshop on Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridors and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) workshop in Walvis Bay, Namibia.
The EU stated that the partnership represents a significant milestone in strengthening cooperation between the EU and Namibia to drive the global energy transition and promote green industrialisation in Namibia, particularly in the Kharas region, in line with the Namibian government’s ‘Southern Corridor Development Initiative.’
The initiative follows up on the support already provided by the Port of Rotterdam to Namport’s masterplan for the expansion of the port of Lüderitz.
Under the new partnership, the Port of Rotterdam will lead a high-level environmental impact assessment to ensure that the project meets the highest environmental standards from the outset.
The envisaged expansion of Lüderitz Port is intended to be a multi-user terminal capable of serving various cargo types, including the export of green hydrogen in the form of green ammonia.
This support to Lüderitz port draws on earlier EU-funded cooperation between Port of Antwerp–Bruges International (POABI) and Namport to develop a master plan for the expansion of Walvis Bay Port, which could more than double the port’s capacity and unlock up to N$10 billion in potential investment if implemented. Both port expansions aim to strengthen strategic trade corridors between Africa and Europe, positioning Namibia as a key regional gateway for sustainable trade and a future green logistics hub within global green maritime corridors.
Namport continues to drive industrialisation, job creation, and sustainable growth. The initiative aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and Namibia’s green hydrogen ambitions, positioning Namport as a strategic hub for critical minerals and clean energy exports to Europe and beyond.
The meeting in Walvis Bay represented the first Regional Workshop of the Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridors, with the other two planned to be held in Latin America and the Caribbean and in India.
Global Gateway represents the EU’s offer to build a more sustainable and connected common future, based on shared values and principles. The maritime transport sector remains key for global trade and therefore constitutes a key pillar of the Global Gateway.
The Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridor flagship has been designed in response to demands from the maritime sector, shipping companies, green fuel producers, port operators, and port authorities. Several projects are already underway to strengthen connectivity between Europe and Africa. These include upgrades to the Port of Pointe-Noire in Congo, support for the development of the Port of Lumut in Malaysia and small ports in Cabo Verde, as well as the Port of Cotonou.
Written by Chamwe Kaira for Railways Africa.
