Namibia’s Walvis Bay Berth 9 Upgrade Signals New Cruise Era

Namibia’s cruise tourism ambitions are entering a new phase as the Port of Walvis Bay progresses with plans to modify Berth 9, a project designed to handle larger passenger vessels and support a fast-growing visitor market.

Berth 9 Project Moves from Planning to Procurement

Publicly available procurement records show that the Namibian Ports Authority has launched the initial selection process for an Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract covering the Port of Walvis Bay South Port – Berth 9 Modification Project. The notice, issued under reference ISD/EPC/NAMPORT-3694/2025, outlines a competitive process aimed at shortlisting qualified firms to deliver the complex marine works required at the southern side of the port.

Supporting documentation, including bid and environmental filings, describes Berth 9 as the port’s dedicated passenger liner berth, created as part of the New Container Terminal development. The modification programme will build on this earlier investment, which shifted container handling to a new reclaimed island and freed up space along the main quay for specialised uses.

Project information circulated to the market indicates that the planned Berth 9 works include a new reinforced concrete and/or steel quay wall, bridge and deck construction, modifications to the existing jetty, associated dredging and land reclamation, as well as ground improvement and road works. These elements are intended to strengthen marine infrastructure, improve access and circulation, and prepare the berth to accommodate the next generation of cruise vessels.

The move into procurement follows a period of technical preparation and signals that Namport is advancing from strategic intent to implementation. While timelines for construction and commissioning have not yet been publicly confirmed, the tendering activity underscores a clear direction: Berth 9 is being reshaped as a cornerstone asset for Namibia’s passenger shipping and tourism economy.

Cruise Growth Underpins Investment at Walvis Bay

Environmental assessment reports prepared for the Berth 9 modification highlight that growth in Namibia’s tourism sector has been accompanied by continued cruise liner activity at Walvis Bay. The introduction of the New Container Terminal created the opportunity to designate Berth 9 as a passenger-only facility, separating cruise operations from busy cargo berths and improving safety and service levels for visitors.

Regional tourism coverage notes that cruise calls to Namibia have trended upward over recent seasons. Industry reporting focused on the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 liner seasons indicates that Namport recorded an increase in cruise vessel visits at its ports, including Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, as global operators reinstated African itineraries and added new routes along the south-west Atlantic seaboard.

Broadcast and local media reports further describe Walvis Bay as a growing hub for cruise tourism, pointing to a steady rise in ship arrivals between October 2023 and June 2024 and tens of thousands of passengers visiting the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz over that period. These flows are modest in global terms but significant for Namibia’s relatively small coastal communities and tourism businesses.

In this context, the Berth 9 project is widely interpreted as a capacity and quality upgrade aimed at consolidating Walvis Bay’s role as a preferred stopover on regional cruise circuits. By providing a more capable berth and improved landside interface, the port authority is positioning the harbour to capture additional calls, especially from larger vessels and higher-yield expedition and premium segments.

Environmental Clearance and Land Reclamation Framework

Alongside procurement, regulatory milestones for the Berth 9 modification have been progressing. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s environmental information portal lists an Environmental Clearance Certificate for the Land Reclamation and Berth 9 Modification Project in the Port of Walvis Bay, indicating that the development has undergone formal impact screening and approval processes.

The associated environmental impact assessment and management plan describe how the project will rely on land reclamation and dredging to expand the operational footprint around Berth 9. The documents outline potential effects on the bay’s marine environment, shipping operations and adjacent urban areas, as well as mitigation measures relating to sediment management, noise, traffic and construction safety.

These studies also situate Berth 9 within wider port expansion and logistics plans. Walvis Bay has been earmarked as a strategic Atlantic gateway for Southern African Development Community trade, with previous investment in a deep-water container terminal and related infrastructure. Integrating a modern cruise and passenger berth into this framework is presented as part of a multi-use port platform that serves both freight and tourism.

For the cruise sector, the environmental approvals provide regulatory certainty that is often essential for long-term deployment decisions. Operators assessing ports of call typically weigh not only natural attractions and shore-excursion options but also the reliability, safety and compliance profile of port infrastructure. Having a cleared and planned upgrade at Berth 9 may therefore strengthen Walvis Bay’s competitive position in itinerary planning.

Tourism Momentum Builds Beyond the Quayside

National tourism statistics from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism show a strong rebound in Namibia’s visitor numbers in recent years. Official reporting indicates that tourist arrivals rose from 863,872 in 2023 to more than 1.25 million in 2024, a year-on-year increase of over 45 percent as international travel recovered and marketing campaigns took effect.

Within these totals, the country’s harbours at Walvis Bay and Lüderitz account for a relatively small but strategically important share of arrivals. The cruise segment delivers concentrated volumes of visitors directly to coastal towns, supporting local hospitality, retail and excursion providers that link port calls with desert, dune and wildlife experiences in the surrounding Erongo and Karas regions.

Tourism analysts note that Namibia’s main source markets include Europe and North America, with countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States featuring prominently in arrival data. These markets are also well represented in global cruise demand, particularly in the expedition, wildlife and scenic cruising niches where Namibia’s coastal landscapes are seen as a natural fit.

Against this backdrop, improved cruise handling capacity at Walvis Bay is expected to reinforce broader tourism strategies that seek to diversify access points and lengthen stays. A smoother passenger experience at Berth 9, combined with streamlined excursion logistics and transport links, could help convert day visitors from ships into repeat land-based travellers and ambassadors for Namibia’s destinations.

Strategic Positioning on Africa’s Atlantic Cruise Map

The Berth 9 modification is also framed within a larger regional narrative about Africa’s Atlantic cruising potential. The New Container Terminal at Walvis Bay, inaugurated in the late 2010s on reclaimed land, was conceived as both a trade and tourism enabler, providing deep-water access and modern facilities that could attract larger commercial and passenger vessels.

Project descriptions for the container terminal emphasise that the expansion created a dedicated passenger liner berth and small craft harbour intended to anchor future waterfront and tourism developments. The current Berth 9 works can be viewed as a follow-on phase, refining and expanding that cruise-focused infrastructure in response to emerging market demand.

Walvis Bay’s location along key north-south and transatlantic routes makes it a logical stop for repositioning cruises, world voyages and niche expeditions linking Cape Town, the Namibian coast, Angola and islands in the South Atlantic. By enhancing its ability to turn around or service such vessels efficiently, Namibia is aiming to secure a more regular presence on global cruise calendars.

Looking ahead, sector observers will be watching how the Berth 9 project aligns with planned investments in port access roads, waterfront amenities and regional tourism products. The trajectory of the EPC procurement, construction milestones and subsequent cruise seasons will provide early indications of how effectively Namibia can translate new marine infrastructure into sustainable growth in high-value visitor flows.

Namibian Ports Authority procurement portal

Namibia environmental clearance: Land Reclamation and Berth 9 Modification Project

Tourism Update coverage of Namibia’s cruise market

Namibia Tourist Statistical Report 2023

African Development Bank: Walvis Bay port upgrade background