The absence of rail connections to the key markets in Botswana and Zambia remains a major cause for concern, especially given the latest developments on alternative corridors, such as the Lobito and Tazara corridors.
Namport remains confident that ongoing investments in infrastructure and efficiency will strengthen Walvis Bay’s competitiveness, said Elias Mwenyo, Namport’s executive for commercial.
The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) was ranked 376th out of 405 ports worldwide in the 2024 Container Port Performance Index (CPPI).
The CPPI, published by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, measures how efficiently ports handle container vessels.
Namport is currently compiling a comprehensive internal report to analyse the 2024 CPPI findings in detail and to identify specific operational areas for further improvement.
Namport has said the absence of rail connections to the key markets in Botswana and Zambia remains a major cause for concern, especially given the latest developments on alternative corridors, such as the Lobito and Tazara corridors.
Namport said CPPI results were guided by global and regional factors that had a direct impact on port performance across the Southern African region. The port of Walvis Bay also connects Namibia to other countries in Southern Africa, such as Botswana, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The company said the Red Sea crisis and geopolitical instability disrupted major shipping routes, forcing many lines to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.
This diversion led to a surge in vessel traffic, including enormous ships that do not usually call at Walvis Bay. This sudden influx put extra pressure on tug and pilotage services, as it prioritised the safe and efficient handling of all vessels within the port limits.
Namport stated that most Southern African ports faced similar operational challenges and recorded lower rankings.
Despite these conditions, the port authority said Namibia’s ports showed relative improvement compared to previous years, reflecting progress in operations and service delivery.
It remains confident that ongoing investments in infrastructure and efficiency will strengthen Walvis Bay’s competitiveness.
The company said that with the ongoing investments in infrastructure, equipment, and technology, the company is confident that the future CPPI results will reflect the positive outcomes of its transformation efforts.
The authority recorded one of its strongest operational performances in recent years. Its 2024–2025 financial report shows that the Walvis Bay and Lüderitz ports handled a combined 8.42 million tonnes of cargo, the highest throughput in more than a decade, even as vessel calls declined due to larger ships.
Despite the low ranking, Namport said the Port of Walvis Bay remains a key logistics hub for Southern Africa and a vital trade gateway for landlocked SADC countries. Namport believes that ongoing reforms and infrastructure projects will help improve the port’s efficiency and future rankings.
Written by Chamwe Kaira for Railways Africa
