Chamwe Kaira
Simonis Storm Securities says Namibia’s ports are gaining from global shipping disruptions linked to instability in the Middle East.
Rising risks in the Persian Gulf and attacks on vessels in the Red Sea have forced ships to avoid the Suez Canal. Many vessels are now using the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing traffic along Namibia’s coast.
This shift is already benefiting Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. Demand for ship refuelling has increased, with Flex Commodities launching bunkering services at both ports to serve rerouted vessels.
Namibia is also gaining ground as South Africa’s bunkering volumes decline. Volumes dropped from about 130 000 tonnes per month in 2023 to around 80 000 tonnes in 2024, pushing more business toward Walvis Bay.
The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) deepened the Walvis Bay entrance channel to 16.5 metres in 2025. This allows larger vessels to dock.
In January 2025, Mediterranean Shipping Company named Walvis Bay as its transshipment hub for the Southern Africa West Coast. This improves links between Europe, Namibia, South Africa and East Africa.
Lüderitz is also being developed as a base for offshore oil and gas work in the Orange Basin. A supply base is expected to be ready by 2028.
Namport has set aside land at Walvis Bay’s North Port for energy and industrial use. This is aimed at serving the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and supporting trade for countries such as Zambia and Botswana.
More growth is expected if energy projects move ahead. Analysts expect key investment decisions by the end of 2026, with first oil targeted for 2029.
Other gains may come from rising demand for fertilisers. Walvis Bay already handles key inputs such as sulphur and iron pyrites, supporting regional agriculture.
There are risks. Weak growth in Europe may reduce demand for Namibian exports. The European Union accounted for 15.7% of Namibia’s exports in February 2026.
Commodity trends offer some support. Gold prices remain high, while uranium demand is growing. Gold made up more than a quarter of Namibia’s exports in February 2026.
Simonis Storm says Namibia should now focus on expanding port capacity, growing trade within Africa and reducing reliance on fuel imports through renewable energy.
The firm says the country has an opportunity to turn global disruption into long-term gains if plans are implemented on time.
