New Container Terminal at Walvis Bay

WSP delivered specialist marine services, as part of the overall project contract and supervisory services for the strategic expansion of the container terminal.

Location

Walvis Bay, Erongo, Namibia

Client

Namport, Burmeister & Partners

Project Status

Completed in 2019

Port Expansion

In its aim to become a strategic gateway to the emerging markets of southern and west Africa, Namport has ambitious plans for the expansion of the Port of Walvis Bay. The first phase of these developments was the New Container Terminal project.

WSP was appointed as specialist marine sub-consultant to local lead consultant Burmeister & Partners for the provision of Owner’s Engineer services. The specialist marine services were part of the overall project contract and supervisory services for the strategic expansion of the container terminal at Walvis Bay.

WSP provided its specialist marine advice for the tender process, appointment of a suitable EPC contractor, and its management through the construction process, including:

Detailed EPC Technical Specifications for marine related work, i.e.:
o Concept design
o Performance specifications
o Dredging and Reclamation
o Ground improvement
o Layerworks and Surfacing
o Concrete works
o Quay walls
o Piling
o Revetments
o Quay accessories
o Navigational aids
o Services
Geotechncial Reviews
Preliminary design reviews
EPC Tender prequalification documentation
EPC Tender documentation
Tender evaluation
Technical reviews of designs
Site monitoring

Area

40 ha 40 ha

Annual Container Handling Capacity

114+% 114+%

Vessel Capacity

8,000 TEUs 8,000 TEUs

Doubling Namibia Port Capacity

The new container terminal was constructed entirely on reclaimed land through the creation of an artificial platform with a total surface area of some 40 ha in the bay. This platform is connected to existing port land by a 130 metre-wide access causeway housing the road, rail and other service infrastructure linkages.

The construction of a 600-metre quay allows for the simultaneous berthing of two Post-Panamax container vessels. The terminal is fitted with four Super Post-Panamax ship to shore gantry cranes.

The entrance channel, turning basin and area alongside the berth also required dredging to accommodate the design vessel. Through execution of this project, the port gained the ability to accommodate vessels with a capacity of up to 8,000 TEUs.

The port expansion increased the throughput capacity of the port from 350,000 TEU’s per annum to 750,000 TEU’s.

The port expansion also benefitted the local tourism industry through construction of a passenger liner berth and a small craft harbour to anchor a planned commercial waterfront development.