Walvis Bay:Container volumes at the Port of Walvis Bay surged by 113% over two years, reaching 365,190 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in the 2025/26 period, as reported by Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) CEO Andrew Kanime.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Kanime explained that throughput increased from 171,151 TEUs in 2023/24 to 253,996 in 2024/25, marking a 48% rise, and further to 365,190 in 2025/26, a 44% increase. This surpasses the previous peak of approximately 330,000 TEUs recorded in 2012. Kanime attributed this structural growth to the November 2024 concessioning of the New Container Terminal to Terminal Investment Namibia, the deepening of the entrance channel, and MSC's designation of Walvis Bay as a regional transshipment hub.
From April to July 2026, the port handled 106,102 TEUs, 26% more than the same period the previous year. Despite a reduction in vessel calls, the gross tonnage rose by 25%, indicating that larger ships are now arriving. General cargo slightly decreased by 6% to 5.96 million tonnes in 2025/26, following a 13% rise to 6.34 million tonnes the previous year. This was attributed to softer demand for some imports, a shift to containerized cargo, and a 54% decline in salt exports after the United States imposed a 21% tariff on Namibian salt.
Total cargo handled by Namport and the container terminal increased by 20.7% to 3.24 million tonnes in the first four months of 2026/27, driven by imports of wheat, steel, oil and gas products, sulphur, and fertilizer. However, cross-border cargo decreased by 20% to 1.96 million tonnes, primarily due to power shortages in Zambia affecting mining output. Volumes have since stabilized, with 755,948 tonnes moved from April to July, consistent with last year. South Africa and Zambia remain the largest corridor markets, accounting for 46% and 31% respectively.
Kanime acknowledged the competitive challenges, stating, "We recognize that this market must be won every day," and noted that the Lobito and TAZARA rail corridors are also targeting the same Copperbelt cargo. Namibia lacks a rail connection to Zambia, the DRC, or Botswana, meaning most corridor cargo is transported by road, increasing logistics costs. Bunkering-related vessel calls increased by 64%, from 56 in February 2026 to 92 in March, as shipping lines rerouted around disruptions in the Middle East.