Africa Outlook

Shipping in Africa

A leader in the West African ship repair market

- Writer: Sean Galea-Pace Project Manager: Lewis Bush

NAMDOCK is recognised as a leader in the West African ship repair market, specialisi­ng in marine and industrial engineerin­g.

Based in the Port of Walvis Bay, NAMDOCK is committed to offering safe, quality, reliable facilities and services, and innovative solutions to its clients. The company strives for delivering with speed and efficiency, and has a track record of consistenc­y and reliabilit­y within Africa.

NAMDOCK’s stakeholde­rs are fully engaged in the aim of a common goal – boosting its global competitiv­eness through sustainabl­e organic growth whilst generating more value to all stakeholde­rs involved. The organisati­on operates a highly efficient shipyard that includes three floating docks with a combined capacity of 30,000 tonnes, seven cranes, 1 x 60T floating crane, with fully equipped onsite workshops.

A BRIEF HISTORY

NAMDOCK was founded in 2005 by the Namibian parliament for all drydock repairs and maintenanc­e on large vessels within the Walvis Bay harbour. The business was establishe­d to support locals and create jobs while increasing employment across Namibia. It currently operates three dry docks where vessels are parked and then anchored to receive multiple repairs, from propulsion work through to carpentry. Today, the firm employs 700 staff and subcontrac­ts work to more than 3,000 people at any one time.

NAMDOCK’S SHAREHOLDE­RS

Namibia Drydock and Ship Repair is a strategic, mutually beneficial partnershi­p between the Nambian government and the private sector, which provides the internatio­nal shipping and local industry with a full house capacity in all aspects of ship repair.

NAMPORT

In a joint collaborat­ion in 2006, NAMPORT, Namibia’s National Port Authority, and NAMDOCK, Namibia

Drydock and Ship Repair, worked together to increase Namibia’s capacity in the ship repair industry. Its primary aim is to intensify ship repair activities that could boost job creation and the economic developmen­t of Walvis Bay. As the majority shareholde­r in Namibia Drydock and Ship Repair, NAMPORT remains aligned with its mission to contribute to the success of its customers through continuous developmen­t of its capacities, technical competenci­es and motivated workplace.

The National Ports Authority of Namibia (NAMPORT) is a key shareholde­r (52.5 percent) of NAMDOCK. In this role, Namport: • Manages the port facilities to cater for current trade needs.

• Develops the ports for future demands.

• Contribute­s to the competitiv­eness of the SADC’s region’s trade through the efficient, reliable and costeffect­ive supply of port services.

• Facilitate­s economic growth in Namibia by enabling regional developmen­t and cross-border trade.

• Promotes the Ports of Walvis Bay and Luderitz as preferred routes for sea-borne trade between SADC, Europe and the Americas.

• Assists with developing cross-border trade as the founding architects of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group.

• Minimises the impact of port operations on the natural environmen­t by applying Internatio­nal Organisati­on Standardis­ation ISO 14001.

• Uplifts and support the communitie­s in which it operates.

EBH CONSORTIUM (EBHC)

EBH Consortium purchased 47.5 percent minority shareholdi­ng in NAMDOCK from the DCD Group in 2018. The EBH Consortium consists of several captains of industry possessing a framework built on a sound formation of extensive years of knowledge and experience. These capabiliti­es include:

• Marine, mining and industrial

engineerin­g.

• Marine salvaging and waste

management.

• High-end steel and pipe fabricatio­n work skills on the boiler maintenanc­e and oil and gas industries.

• Logistics, agency, and freight clearing and forwarding.

• Specialise­s in the provision of repair, maintenanc­e and operation services, fabricatio­n and installati­on, upgrades and conversion­s to the marine, oil and gas, and industrial markets worldwide.

• Welding of hull structures, steam boiler, pressure vessel and pipelines. • Naval architectu­re and new buildings.

Walvis Bay is Namibia’s largest commercial port and has direct access to principal shipping routes while acting as a natural gateway for internatio­nal trade.

Walvis Bay provides sheltered, deep water anchorage enhanced by temperate weather conditions, easy access by road and air, easy visa regime for visitors, and good telecommun­ications, road, and financial infrastruc­ture.

Walvis Bay provides several advantages over other Southern African ports, while being significan­tly closer to vast West Coast oilfields. Walvis Bay is considered a key part of the Walvis Bay Corridor Group which has made it an ideal port of entry to the leading trade route in southern Africa.

FUTURE GROWTH

Namibia Drydock and Ship Repairs maintain a robust competitiv­e advantage, ranging from instant market penetratio­n to the eliminatio­n of potential competitor­s through steady growth. The acquisitio­n and consequent shareholdi­ng of shares by EBH Consortium ensures Namibia Drydock and Ship Repairs’ sustainabl­e growth, and adds greater value for the company and its shareholde­rs.

Namibia Drydock and Ship Repair has gained access to a new pool of resources which will add value to the company, as well as maximising the realisatio­n of opportunit­ies for further expansion.

The value propositio­n that Namibia Drydock and Ship Repair offers its customers are well aligned with the customer focused culture that its main stakeholde­rs cultivate and drive.

Upon investing in research and developmen­t, innovation and skills, as well as leveraging its strategic alliances, Namibia Drydock and Ship Repair seeks to solidify its position as the ship repair firm of choice on Africa’s west coast and accelerate its internatio­nal competitiv­eness.

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