NAMIBIA's Namport CEO Andrew Kanime declared that they have appointed international consultancy firm Maritime Business and Transport Solutions (MTBS) to assist with the process of finding a container port operator, reports the Windhoek New Era.
'The successful operator should be able to make volume-related payments during the tenure of the concession, introduce additional capital for investments, and drive operational efficiencies. The operator will only be permitted to handle containers and limited project cargo, and not non-containerised cargo, for 25 years,' said Mr Kanime.
'This is in line with international benchmarks which will allow them to recoup their investment, as the contract will entail the expansion of the terminal quay and yard to increase throughput.'
Mr Kanime explained that the decision to lease out became a must when the dynamics significantly shifted on the back of depressed macroeconomic conditions.
As a result, imports and exports were handled through Namibian and other ports across the region.
'These unforeseen and unfortunate developments caused a significant decrease in the volumes' throughput through the new container terminal,' said Mr Kanime.
'Given the need to earn a return on this very strategic investment, we have been compelled to explore means and ways we can drive the utilisation of the terminal, and among the outcomes from our considerations has been the decision to consider concessioning the new terminal to an independent operator,' he said.
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'The successful operator should be able to make volume-related payments during the tenure of the concession, introduce additional capital for investments, and drive operational efficiencies. The operator will only be permitted to handle containers and limited project cargo, and not non-containerised cargo, for 25 years,' said Mr Kanime.
'This is in line with international benchmarks which will allow them to recoup their investment, as the contract will entail the expansion of the terminal quay and yard to increase throughput.'
Mr Kanime explained that the decision to lease out became a must when the dynamics significantly shifted on the back of depressed macroeconomic conditions.
As a result, imports and exports were handled through Namibian and other ports across the region.
'These unforeseen and unfortunate developments caused a significant decrease in the volumes' throughput through the new container terminal,' said Mr Kanime.
'Given the need to earn a return on this very strategic investment, we have been compelled to explore means and ways we can drive the utilisation of the terminal, and among the outcomes from our considerations has been the decision to consider concessioning the new terminal to an independent operator,' he said.
SeaNews Turkey