[Ferro-Alloys.com] The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) has recorded a 6% growth in total cargo handled, amounting to 6.5 million metric tons for the 2021/2022 financial year.

The increase comes on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic, global container shortage and blank sailings.

“Vessel visits also increased by 289 vessels or 22%. The increase in vessel calls was predominantly due to an increase in petroleum vessels, Namibian and foreign fishing vessels, foreign tugs as well as research vessels,” Namport CEO Andrew Kanime told the Namport bulletin.

“The volume performance is certainly commendable given the tough operating environment that characterized the financial year that was.”

In the period under review, the Ports Authority handled 168 278 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), of which, 61 106 TEUs or 36% were exported.

“A further 69 467 TEUs or 41% were imported and 37 705 TEUs or 22% were transshipments. TEUs increased by 12 298 or 8%, year on year,” the Namport CEO said.

“This increase was mainly due to increased containerized commodities such as copper, charcoal, frozen fish, marble, frozen poultry, sugar, chemicals, scrap steel and wooden products.”

Namport’s bulk and breakbulk (BBB) volumes handled amounted to 4.4 million, “of which, 1.8 million tonnes or 40% were exports, 2.6 million tonnes or 59% imported, and 34,709 tonnes or 1% were transshipped.”

“Overall the BBB volumes increased year on year by 360,189 tonnes or 9%. This increase came as a result of increased commodities such as petroleum, steel, frozen fish, ammonium nitrate, iron ore, marble, ship spares, manganese ore, and flat cartons.”

Cross border volumes according to Kanime increased by 10% from 1,464,000 gross tonnages during the 2020/2021 financial year to 1,606,984 gross tonnages during the 2021/2022 financial year.

“At least 48% of the volumes are from South Africa, 23% from Zambia, 15% from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zimbabwe and Botswana 6% each, 2% from Angola and 1% from Malawi. This performance is a testimony of an aggressive approach to developing the ports as the preferred SADC gateways,” he said.

“Major commodities exported from SADC countries through Namibia are currently copper, manganese ore, and wooden products (Timber). Major commodities imported to Namibia destined to SADC Countries are frozen poultry, vehicles, machinery, spare parts, tyres, chemicals for mining use, electrical goods and electrical equipment.”

• [Editor:tianyawei]