Namport and Port of Antwerp-Bruges Strengthen Partnership with Focus on Green Energy

WALVIS BAY, Namibia — The Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium have advanced their collaboration through a detailed agreement signed on Thursday, building upon a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) established in 2022. The agreement was solidified during a meeting where the heads of both ports outlined the terms of their ongoing partnership.

According to Namibia Press Agency, CEO of Namport, the MoU focuses on port development, capacity building, and particularly on energy transition. He emphasized that the collaboration positions Namibia as a leading partner in developing green energy solutions, including green hydrogen and its carriers like green ammonia, which will benefit both Namibia and Belgium. Kanime highlighted the strategic shift Namport is making from a hybrid port authority operator model to a landlord model, drawing on insights from Antwerp-Bruges, which has already implemented this model.

The partnership has also dedicated a significant area of land at Walvis Bay’s North Port for the development of energy and industrial clusters by the private sector, under long-term leases. Jacques Vendermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, stressed the urgency of climate action and the critical role of collaborative efforts in this global challenge. He praised the proactive work being done by his port in supporting energy transition initiatives, and acknowledged the support from both the Belgian government and private sectors.

Additionally, the two ports have signed an MoU with CMB Tech, a Belgium-based hydrogen solutions company, to develop and deploy Africa’s first-ever green-powered ship, marking a significant step towards sustainable maritime solutions.