The Namibian Ports Authority ( Namport ) celebrated its 30th anniversary , marking a significant milestone in its journey since its establishment in 1994 . During the celebratory event at Walvis Bay on Monday , Namport ‘ s Chief Executive Officer Andrew Kanime reflected on the institution ‘ s achievements , saying the port ‘ s success is a collective achievement , that would not have been possible without the great work by all the masses and contributions of its forebearers , who were at the forefront of the birth of the institution . ‘ It is truly humbling and deserving of pride that we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our beloved company . Thirty years signifies an important milestone , for it marks the end of youth and the beginning of middle adulthood ,’ he expressed while extending his appreciation to all employees for their dedication and commitment . Kanime highlighted Namports impressive growth over the years , including an asset base growth of N . dollars 6 . 9 billion from the N . dollars 93 milli
on recorded during its early years after inception . The number of staff also saw a significant rise , increasing from 318 employees to the current 820 , while Namport ‘ s revenue grew from N . dollars 57 million to N . dollars 1 . 7 billion and a N . dollars 650 million operating profit surge . Additionally , the number of containers handled at Namport increased from 20 000 Twenty – Foot Equivalent Units ( TEUs ) to 171 000 , peaking at 330 000 containers in 2012 . ‘ This is by no means a small achievement and we should applaud the employees ‘ efforts ,’ Kanime remarked . Although used informally before 1840 , the port of Walvis Bay officially became a port in that year , initially serving as a whaling station before evolving into a commercial port . Walvis Bay ‘ s deep – water capabilities have made it an ideal location for larger vessels , enhancing its importance over time , according to the CEO . Namport was established in 1994 after Namibia ‘ s independence , following the reintegration of Walvis Bay in
to the country . Looking ahead , Kanime expressed optimism about Namport ‘ s future , revealing plans to transition to a landlord model and to pursue partnerships that would help develop sufficient port infrastructure , equipment , and systems . The commissioning process expects to see the Switzerland subsidiary company Terminal Investment Namibia ( TIN ) take over the port ‘ s operations at its new terminal in November .
Source: The Namibia News Agency