acquisition of a next generation computer terminal,NAMIBIA

Namibian Ports Authority has made a N$13.5-million investment for the acquisition of a next generation computer terminal, Bisey Uirab, the Chief Executive Officer of NamPort has announced.

The acquisition of a state-of-the-art next generation container terminal operating system (NAVIS SPARCS N4) will see NamPort align itself with international standards in terms of providing a world-class service not only to importers and exporters, but also to shipping lines, ensuring that the port’s high productivity levels increasingly attract more shipping lines to call at the Port of Walvis Bay.

Uirab says the ever-increasing cargo volumes at Walvis Bay and in the Walvis Bay Corridors have prompted the decision to improve productivity as expected from a world-class port that handles container vessels.

Navis SPARCS N4 is a next generation container terminal operating system, specifically designed to offer good value.

“With this system in place, NamPort will enjoy benefits such as improved yard planning and control, enhanced vessel planning and control, as well as superior equipment control. It will enable NamPort to increase capacity, lower operating costs and improve customer service,” he added.

The strategic goals of the NAVIS SPARCS N4 implementation are increased terminal productivity by optimising vessel stow and dispatch as well as optimising container yard movements.

It will also optimise container movement to and from rail and tracking of gate transactions.

Meanwhile, Uirab said the new system would increase customer interaction through the use of EDI and WEB technology and manage reefer containers while tracking billing transactions and collecting metrics to measure growth and productivity.

“This means that NamPort will have a system that is very maintainable and adaptable over the entire life-cycle of the system while allowing NamPort the flexibility and scalability we need to run operations from a single terminal to multiple terminals across multiple geographic locations, all within a single system,” he added.

Uirab said continuous improvement of efficiency is part of NamPort’s strategic drive to increase the number of shipping lines at the Port of Walvis Bay and hence reduce the unit cost for sea freight and total logistics costs which will eventually reduce the cost of doing business in Namibia and the rest of the SADC region.

This is imperative for especially importers and exporters who serve SADC countries through the various Walvis Bay Corridors, he said.