Walvis Bay Port Expansion
Namibia's $300 million port expansion creating a new container terminal to serve Southern Africa's Atlantic trade.
The Walvis Bay Port Expansion project involved the construction of a new container terminal on a 40-hectare reclaimed land area, expanding Namibia's main port capacity dramatically. Completed in August 2019 at a cost of approximately $300 million, the project increased the port's container handling capacity from 350,000 TEU to 750,000 TEU annually. Financed by the African Development Bank and Namport (Namibian Ports Authority), the expansion included a 600-metre quay wall, deepened berths to 16 metres, and modern container handling equipment. It positions Walvis Bay as a logistics hub for Southern African landlocked countries including Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- 01Double the port's container handling capacity to 750,000 TEU
- 02Provide a strategic Atlantic coast port alternative for Southern African trade
- 03Serve landlocked countries (Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe) with shorter transit times than competing ports
- 04Attract trans-shipment traffic and position Namibia as a regional logistics hub
- 05Create a modern container terminal meeting international standards
- 06Reduce cargo dwell times and improve port efficiency
2014 · completed
AfDB Financing Approved
The African Development Bank approved a major loan to finance the port expansion alongside Namport's own funds.
2016 · completed
Land Reclamation Begins
Dredging and land reclamation works commenced to create the 40-hectare terminal platform.
2018 · completed
Quay Wall Complete
The 600-metre quay wall was completed and crane installation commenced.
2019 · completed
Official Inauguration
President Hage Geingob officially inaugurated the new container terminal in August 2019.
2022 · completed
Throughput Growth
Container volumes grew steadily as the port captured increased traffic from landlocked Southern African countries.
2024 · in progress
Logistics Hub Development
Supporting logistics infrastructure around the port including dry ports and trans-shipment facilities continued to develop.
Owner/Operator
Namibian Ports Authority (Namport)
The state-owned ports authority that manages Walvis Bay port and financed a significant portion of the expansion.
Lead Financier
African Development Bank (AfDB)
Provided major loan financing for the container terminal construction.
Construction Contractor
China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC)
Served as the main EPC contractor for the reclamation, quay construction, and terminal development.
Strategic Owner
Government of Namibia
The national government provided sovereign guarantees and strategic direction for the port expansion.
- Land reclamation and dredge fill construction
- 600 m reinforced concrete quay wall for container vessels
- Ship-to-shore (STS) gantry cranes
- Rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes
- 16 m deep-water berths
- Navis N4 terminal operating system
What it means for the community
The expanded port has more than doubled container capacity, with throughput growing steadily since inauguration. It provides Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe with an Atlantic coast port option that can be 4-5 days faster to European and American markets than Indian Ocean alternatives. The project created approximately 2,800 construction jobs and around 500 permanent operations positions. It contributes an estimated 7% of Namibia's GDP through port activities.
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- Namibian Ports Authority (Namport)
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