Cargo volumes at Namport have increased by 4.8% for the financial year ended 31 March 2025, setting a new decade's record.

The ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz handled a record-breaking 8.42 million tonnes of cargo for the 2024/25 financial year.

The statistics were released in a statement, indicating growth compared to the 8 million tonnes of cargo recorded a year before.

This, Namport says, highlights the strength of the company's operations.

Commercial Executive Elias Mwenyo attributed the growth to cargo diversification, improved infrastructure, and the result of strategic partnerships.

The achievement also highlights the company's strategic foresight, he said, which managed to divert traffic from competing ports in the region.

The mining sector remains one of the most significant contributors to this success, Mwenyo stated.

The ports recorded significant growth in the export of copper, zinc, and uranium oxide concentrate. 

Imports through Namport improved by 7%, Mwenyo said, led by fertiliser, sulphur, ammonium nitrate, petroleum, wheat, and machinery.

Leading that growth, he said, was a 12.8% increase in bulk and break bulk cargo handled. 

Walvis Bay Harbour reported a slight decline of 5.7% in exports handled, Mweyo said.

However, there were notable gains in the export of bulk salt, copper and lead concentrates, charcoal, wooden products, and marble and granite. 

In addition, the Commercial Executive said Walvis Bay is on record for its first exporting of key critical minerals, including nickel and zinc concentrates, thus positioning Namibia as an emerging player in the global mineral supply chain.

The Port of Luderitz recorded a 22% increase in total cargo volumes. 

Mwenyo explained that the close to 1.5 million tonnes of cargo volumes handled in the south were driven by a rise in imports, especially containers, petroleum products, wet fish and machinery.

However, exports from the south declined by 5.4%, partially offset by steady growth in key commodities, including zinc ore, frozen fish and ice.

Walvis Bay and Luderitz were revealed as the two ports that handled the highest container volumes over the past decade, demonstrating a surge in cargo volumes and improved operational efficiency.

During the period under review, nearly 254,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) were handled by Namibia's ports, representing a 33% year-on-year increase.