Walvis Bay, Namibia
Walvis Bay is Namibia’s principal deep-water port and trade gateway, vital for regional and international commerce.
Port Overview
Walvis Bay is Namibia’s principal deep-water port, located on the central Atlantic coast. As the country’s largest coastal city and third-largest overall, it plays a vital role in regional trade. Strategically positioned, Walvis Bay serves as a key gateway for landlocked Southern African countries, offering efficient access to international shipping routes. The port handles over 500,000 TEU annually, making it one of the busiest container ports in southern Africa and a critical logistics hub for the region.
Facilities & Infrastructure
Walvis Bay features a comprehensive container terminal with capacity for 750,000 TEUs annually, accommodating 3,875 ground slots and 482 reefer plug points. The port maintains eight commercial berths with depths ranging from 10.6m to 16m, including specialized berths for 8,000 TEU vessels. Additional facilities include a ro-ro link span, tanker berth handling 60,000 DWT vessels, and multipurpose bulk terminals. Ship repair capabilities include three floating dry docks (up to 15,000 tons) and a Syncrolift facility for vessels up to 2,000 tons. Six tugboats support operations.
Container Terminals
Walvis Bay’s new container terminal has three berths (9, 10, and 11), with a quay wall length of 600 meters and a water depth of 16 meters. The terminal’s annual capacity is 750,000 TEUs. Automation is moderate, featuring a computerized terminal information system for gate control, ship-to-shore operations, and yard planning. The terminal is operated by Namibian Ports Authority (Namport).
Port Services
- Container handling: Modern container terminal with capacity for 750,000 TEUs, including reefer plug points and efficient turnaround times.
- Cargo operations: Handles bulk, break-bulk, liquid bulk, and general cargo, with specialized berths and transshipment services.
- Ship services: Ship repair (floating docks, Syncrolift), bunkering, pilotage, tug assistance, port control, and marine engineering.
- Warehousing: Onsite warehousing, cold storage, and bonded facilities, supporting logistics and distribution.
- Customs: Full customs clearance, bonded storage, and facilitation for import/export and transit cargo.
Global Connectivity
Walvis Bay, Namibia’s main port, serves as a strategic gateway connecting southern Africa to global markets. It links to key ports in Europe, Asia, and the Americas via major shipping lines and is integrated with regional trade corridors serving Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, South Africa, and the DRC. The port’s modern infrastructure and direct shipping routes enable efficient access to SADC markets and reduce transit times to Europe and North America compared to other southern African ports.
Port Statistics
Port of Walvis Bay, Namibia – Key Statistics (2024/2025):
- TEU throughput: 253,996 TEUs (record high for 2024/2025)
- World ranking: 376th in the 2024 Container Port Performance Index
- Number of berths: 8 (including container, bulk, and general cargo berths)
- Port area: Approximately 105 hectares (land and water)
- Shipping lines: Serviced by major global lines including Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, and regional carriers
The port is a strategic logistics hub for Southern Africa, with ongoing investments to expand capacity and efficiency.
