Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist July 2018

Diplomatist: Enlighten us about the purpose of your visit to India. BiseyUirab: I’m leading a delegation from Namibia to promote our country as an investment destination. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has facilitated this visit and here we have interacted with Indian companies. We want to market Namibia as a logistics hub for Southern Africa and are particularly keen to market Ports of Walvis Bay and Luderitz as ports of choice for cargo destined for Zambia, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and of course Namibia. Diplomatist: Currently, Namport is driving a multibillion- dollar expansion of the Walvis Bay Port. How will it position Namibia as a logistics hub? Bisey Uirab: The Port of Walvis Bay is positioned near trade shipping routes that traverse the Cape of Good Hope and offer cargo service connecting Asia with southern and western Africa as well as South America. The Walvis Bay corridors will provide efﬁ cient cost-effective service routes for trade with Africa. With this expansion, cargo handling capacity will increase to 750,000 which is more than double as compared to our current capacity. Moreover, modern equipment and new technology will also improve productivity and efﬁ ciencies. This upgrade would definitely allow Namibia to become a regional transport hub and will position Namibia as the preferred regional logistics hub for SADC region. Diplomatist: Can you enlighten us about the key benefi ts of using the Port of Walvis Bay? Bisey Uirab: The Port of Walvis Bay is strategically situated halfway down the Namibian coast, with direct access to principal shipping routes. It is secure, congestion-free, efﬁ cient and of world-class standard. Turnaround times for ofﬂ oading vessels vary from 12 to 15 hours for container vessels; 24 to 48 hours for bulk vessels, depending on tonnage and shipment; and between 18 and 20 hours for break-bulk vessels. Diplomatist: How will this expansion boost tourism in the country? Bisey Uirab: Part of the South port new container terminal expansion project is a cruise terminal, where cruise liners can dock. Together with the cruise terminal, we are planning to build a waterfront and marina development. Hotels, restaurants, and recreational facilities are also added to the plans to guarantee an enriched experience for visitors and this will deﬁ nitely double the revenue generated from port tourism activities. Diplomatist: How much cargo was handled during the last fi nancial year? How committed are you to grow the cargo volumes this year? Bisey Uirab: Imports and exports have increased by 14 percent as compared to the previous ﬁ nancial year and now we are committed to growing them by ﬁ ve million tons per annum. Diplomatist: What is China’s role in reshaping Walvis Bay Port? Bisey Uirab: China is mainly involved in the construction of the new container terminal. Diplomatist: Japan has also committed fi nancial support and technical assistance to Namport. Is India missing something here? Bisey Uirab: I will not say India is missing something. India has invested heavily in mining operations in Namibia and other sectors. The mine (Vedanta) is our key client at the Port of Luderitz. Diplomatist: What goals has Namport set for itself? Would you like to talk about your other major project? Bisey Uirab: To remain the number one port in Africa and to establish Namibian Ports as preferred regional hubs and logistics centres. Our key projects are consideration of terminal operator, port automation project, national single window and creation of operating company, LPG terminal, logistics centres, gas and oil industry, ship repair, waterfront and marina development and the deepwater port at Luderitz.  Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 7 • July 2018, Noida • 61

Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist July 2018 | Page 61