The Namibian Port Authority (Namport), Cleanergy Solutions Namibia, and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges signed a memorandum of understanding to develop the first-ever hydrogen-powered vessel to operate in Namibian waters.
Additionally, Namport and the port of Antwerp-Bruges signed an agreement focusing on the development of the north port of Walvis Bay.
Namibia is set up to play a key role in the global energy transition, with a pioneering position in renewable energy, and natural resources, given its strategic geographical position.
Namibia's Green Industrialization Agenda aims to leverage renewable energy potential and policy commitments to provide sustainable industrial development through tailored financing.
Namport's CEO, Andrew Kanime, lauded the Green Industrialization Agenda as a significant milestone in the country's development potential, attracting both national and international investors.
Kanime says green hydrogen is considered one of the main enablers of the energy transition as a source to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors.
Namibia, he says, has high ambitions to harness the country's natural resources into a hub of green energy production and, as such, a catalyst for its green industrialization.
However, there is still plenty of uncertainty in the market regarding demand, cost, high capex, and the coordination of the supply chain.
"We also aim to engage the local authorities for the set-up of heavy industries behind Dune 7, and we will collaborate with our international partners to attract the industries to come and set up in Walvis Bay. In so doing, we will capitalise on the plant's green energy production in Namibia to be generated from the abandoned wind, sun, and water resources, as well as the vast mineral ores in both Namibia and the region that are presently shipped to overseas processing facilities in other raw, semi-purified forms."
Therefore, the development of the port and shared infrastructure, as well as authority and management, are important pillars in enabling green industrialization.
The energy revolution presents a chance to strengthen ties between Belgium and Namibia, with Namibia serving as a green molecule production hub and Antwerp-Bruges as a European market gateway.
Antwerp-Bruges International and the Namibian Ports Authority will come up with a development framework and Green Hydrogen Roadmap for Walvis Bay to prepare the port for future energy and industrial investments.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges understands the complexity of developing strategic projects of national interest and can bring both public and private parties together in the right capacity.