Namport getting smarter
PULL QUOTE: Andrew Kanime, Namport’s chief executive officer; “Namibia’s position at the intersection of global trade routes and regional corridors offers a unique opportunity ...”
The Namibia Ports Authority (Namport) successfully took delivery of next-generation reach stackers on Sunday, 1 February 2026, marking another milestone in its port modernisation journey and efforts to become a ‘Smart Port’.
Supplied by Forklift Allied Equipment, the new machinery enhances container handling capacity, operational efficiency, and safety across Namport’s terminals in Walvis Bay, the authority said.
The E-Series telescopic reach stackers are configured to handle 45-tonne containers in the first row and 32-tonne containers in the second row, with the ability to stack containers up to five high. Namport said this capability significantly improves terminal stacking density and container-handling flexibility, especially in high-volume operations.
Container stacking has been central to Namport’s recent growth. According to its 2025 Integrated Annual Report, general cargo volumes increased from 4 million tonnes in 2021 to 6.3 million tonnes in 2025, with a 13% increase in the reporting year alone, driven by import and export activity across key commodities. Container volumes grew from 155 980 TEUs in 2020/21 to 171 151 TEUs in 2023/24, despite a brief dip in 2023. In 2024/25, performance accelerated sharply, culminating in a 48% year-on-year increase to 253 996 TEUs, aided by concessioning.
Namport board chairperson Nangula Hamunyela noted that the year ending 31 March 2025 was marked by disciplined execution in a challenging environment. “The authority sustained profitable growth and continued to generate positive cash flows from operations, thereby entrenching sustainability and investing in future growth,” she said.
The authority also declared a dividend of N$100 million to the shareholders in November 2025.
Successful concession
Hamunyela highlighted the successful concession of the New Container Terminal (NCT) to Terminal Investments (Namibia). The expansion and deepening of the entrance channel, along with enhanced port competitiveness, increased Namport’s share of hinterland cargo by 19% year-on-year.
Regulatory changes in Namibia affected cargo flows in categories including vehicle imports, agricultural produce, and reefer containers, while Botswana’s cabotage rules limited Namibian trucks’ access to mining sites. Concurrently, Namport’s capacity was tested by multiple strategic initiatives, including the NCT concession, organisational realignment, a new entrance gate and truck staging area, and the National Single Window Environment initiative.
“As the logistics sector increasingly supports infrastructure investment, economic inclusion and employment creation, Namport’s strategic alignment with national priorities reinforces its role as a catalyst for regional competitiveness and long-term sustainability,” Hamunyela said.
Strengthened performance
According to Namport CEO Andrew Kanime, the organisation continues to build institutional capacity. Operational performance strengthened, with the Port Efficiency Index improving from 3.49 to 3.65. “We continue to invest in people, processes and technology, including the migration of core systems to SAP S/4HANA, business process re-engineering and connectivity upgrades. From terminal operations to client-facing systems, Namport is embedding digital solutions that position us alongside leading global ports,” he said.
Namport finance executive Kavin Harry reported a strong financial and operational performance for the year ended 31 March 2025. Revenue grew 12% year-on-year to N$1.995 million, while group revenue reached N$2.877 million, including Namport Property Holdings, Lüderitz Boatyard, Namibia e-Trade Services, and a 52.5% stake in Namdock. Operating profit for the authority rose 45% to N$793 million, while group operating profit increased to N$967 million.
Kanime added, “To remain competitive, Namport must continue investing in port efficiencies, corridor development, green infrastructure and value-added services. Namibia’s position at the intersection of global trade routes offers a unique opportunity to establish Walvis Bay and Lüderitz as green ports for Southern Africa, leveraging the emerging green hydrogen industry, decarbonising port operations, and developing the ports as regional bunkering hubs.”
