New port facilities for seamless cargo movement

Grindrod Ltd opens new warehouse

NAMIBIA: Grindrod Limited, officially opened its new 4,000m² warehouse in the Port of Walvis Bay this week, which is designed for seamless cargo movement via conveyor and is fully compatible with rail and road transport systems.

Strategically located near berths 7 and 8, the warehouse is built on Grindrod’s existing 50 000 m² premises and marks a collaboration between Grindrod and Namibian Ports Authority (Namport), aimed at enhancing the port’s operational efficiency and positioning Walvis Bay as a resilient and sustainable trade gateway.

“Walvis Bay is ideally situated as a gateway to global markets, especially for cargo originating from the West Coast of Africa and neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),” said Frans Visser, Operations Executive for Grindrod Logistics Africa at the opening.

With a history spanning over fifty years in Walvis Bay, Grindrod has maintained its strong presence by offering integrated logistics solutions that enable efficient cargo flows. The new warehouse expands the company’s capabilities in cargo handling, clearing and forwarding, container logistics, stevedoring, ships agency services, and terminal operations, delivering end-to-end solutions tailored to customer needs.

Looking ahead, Grindrod is exploring further expansion in the region, guided by market demand. “We anticipate further investment in our port facility in the coming years. We intend to collaborate with state-owned entities to develop cost-effective and efficient logistics solutions,” added Visser.

Infrastructure is only part of the equation, according to Visser. “We aim to employ up to 100 employees across all competency levels and to equip the local talent with the right skills to manage bulk shipments. This type of community development is essential for long-term success.”

Andrew Sturrock, CEO of Grindrod’s Logistics segment, emphasised the strategic importance of this investment, “Our continued infrastructure development in Walvis Bay reflects our commitment to growth and our purpose of making a positive difference in Africa’s trade with the world. We see this region evolving into a secure and efficient transit corridor.”

PHOTO: Namport CEO, Mr Andrew Kanime, His Worship, Trevino Forbes, Mayor of Walvis Bay and Head of the Grindrod Logistics segment, Andrew Sturrock.