By: Nghiinomenwa Erastus
The government seeks a private operator to manage and operate the new container terminal at the Port of Walvis Bay.
The government, through the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), announced on Monday.
Moreover, it also seeks the service of other developers and operators for its Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and business development experts to partner with the government in the Walvis Bay Industrial Development Initiative (WIDI)
In August this year, the government went to the market, inviting eligible players to indicate their interest and proposals through an Expression of Interest (EOI).
The call for expressions of interest which was scheduled to close on October 15th, 2021, is now
extended to a closing date of October 30th, 2021.
The investment board has acknowledged that the new container terminal (NCT) is a significant asset to Namport’s balance sheet.
For that, “the government strongly believes that it can now provide greater opportunity to promote the country’s economic development agenda,” wrote the board.
However, the investment board explained that terminal potential could only be utilised if the new terminal is leveraged, marketed, and managed together with specific complementary components.
To further increase the container throughput at the facility, the government seeks to develop a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) close to the Port of Walvis Bay.
The investment board stated that increased throughput is projected to contribute to the country’s other strategic priorities, such as job creation and value addition.
A third project is also planned as part of Namibia’s initiatives to enhance its competitiveness, ease of doing business, and ambition to develop into a regional logistics hub.
According to NIPDB, implementing a National Single Window (NSW) has become a priority project and is being considered alongside the development of an SEZ.
The two are to be managed by private developers and operators, respectively, with the new terminal.
To effectively implement the above initiatives, the government has consolidated them into the Walvis Bay Industrial Development Initiative (WIDI) project.
The investment board explained that WIDI aims to improve Namibia’s efficiency and competitiveness as a regional logistics hub.
Furthermore, through the SEZ, the initiative is expected to aid in converting Namibian raw materials and resources to finished and semi-finished products and components as part of the nation’s drive to diversify Namibia’s economy.
With lead coordination by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), a national coordinating committee has been appointed to identify and approach global market-leading operators.
In addition to the NIPDB, the committee comprises other members from various government entities and ministries.
The call for expression of interest is taking the form of a market-sounding process whereby participants with the relevant organisational size, experience, and capabilities are invited to express an interest.
Simultaneously they will submit an initial proposal of their approach to the various project components.
Participants interested in only one of the projects are also encouraged to participate and provide details of their alternative plans to contribute to economic development.
The investment board explained that the proposals currently sought from global operators would enable the government to assess the market appetite for partnerships in the projects.
If and when the project components are consolidated, whether the benefit is increased if these projects are considered separately.
Upon conclusion of the EOI process, the government will then assess whether the interest expressed by the private sector warrants continuing with a subsequent Request for Proposals guided by the provisions of the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Act.
According to the Namport August 2021 Bulletin, in the past four months ending July 2021, the ports authority recorded 265 vessels docked at the Port of Walvis Bay versus 239 for the same period in 2020.
The port authority highlighted that the records highlight the ports continuously stride in attaining its vision of becoming the Port of choice for seaborne clients.
In August 2021, the Port welcomed the CMA CGM Nabucco and the Ulsan vessels at its new container terminal.
The 334m CMA CGM Nabucco and Ulsan 258m are first-timers in Namibian waters and recorded 492 and 1000 moves done on each vessel.
The CMA CGM Nabucco is headed for Singapore, has just discharged import cargo, and is expected to return to the Port of Walvis Bay later this month. Email: erastus@thevillager.com.na
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