Namport i54 Winter 24

EXECUTIVE INSIGHT LEADING THE PROFESSIONAL CHARGE

WINTER 2024

ISSUE 54

GATEWAY to Southern Africa’s

POTENTIAL

Namport, operating as the National Port Authority in Namibia, manages both the country’s ports

EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE

2

I FALL 2023

FALL 2023 I EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE

Gateway to Southern Africa’s

POTENTIAL Namport, operating as the National Port Authority in Namibia, manages both the country’s ports - the Port of Walvis Bay and the Port of Lüderitz. Given that the operation of the ports is crucial for the country’s economy, supplier management is of key importance, said Melani De Klerk, Namport’s Procurement Manager, in an interview with Jon Bradley.

B

orn and bred in the central part of Namibia, Melani De Klerk, who is responsible for all of Namport’s procurement activities for the past four years, not only has a profound knowledge of the industry and local environment, but can also boast a rich and wide-ranging career spanning across various sectors, such as mining, international foreign aid and the banking industry, one that has provided her with just the right expertise and skills needed for her current role.

3

Our innovation is outside the box.

Our continuous development has one goal - to handle your boxes even more efficiently in the future. liebherr.com

Port equipment

Liebherr-Africa Pty (Ltd) 20 Vlakfontein Road, Fulcrum Industrial, Springs Tel: +27 (11) 365 2000

FALL 2023 I EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE

Elevating Industries Through Unmatched Expertise and Sustainable Practices In the dynamic landscape of maritime, construction, civil engineering, and mining industries, Liebherr-Africa (Pty) Ltd. stands as a beacon of excellence. As a fully-owned subsidiary of the International Liebherr Group, which spans across more than 140 countries globally, Liebherr-Africa has been a stalwart presence since 1958, catering to the unique needs of its clients in Sub-Sahara Africa and East Africa. We sat down with Darren, the Maritime Cranes Sales Manager, to gain insights into Liebherr Africa’s offerings, partnerships, commitment to sustainability, and what sets them apart in terms of customer satisfaction.

Meeting Industry Demands with Cutting-Edge Equipment Liebherr-Africa has carved a niche with its comprehensive range of cranes and material handling solutions. Specializing in port and material handling solutions, Liebherr has deployed over 250 maritime cranes in Africa, including the notable Liebherr Ship-to-Shore gantry cranes, Liebherr Rubber-Tyre-Gantry cranes, and Liebherr Harbour Mobile cranes. This expansive portfolio has played a pivotal role in the development and efficiency of industries critical to the region’s economic growth.

Engaging with Liebherr: Direct and Personal Darren Jankelow, as the Maritime Cranes Sales Manager, spearheads engagement opportunities for companies across Sub-Sahara Africa and East Africa. With a commitment to fostering collaborations, he emphasizes direct communication as the key. Prospective partners can reach out to Darren through email at LAF-Maritime-Sales@liebherr. com, ensuring a seamless connection for those looking to explore Liebherr’s offerings in the maritime industry.

Building Trust and Long-Standing Partnerships One shining example of Liebherr’s successful partnership is with Melani and Namibian Ports Authority, a collaboration that spans over two decades. Liebherr’s contribution to Namport’s fleet includes 7 Liebherr Harbour Mobile cranes operational in the Port of Walvis Bay and another in the Port of Lüderitz. Darren underscores the relationship’s foundation built on trust and collaboration, coupled with tailored services such as 24/7 technical support, operator and technical training, and local spare parts availability. This synergy has resulted in a mutually beneficial relationship that speaks volumes about Liebherr-Africa’s dedication to customer satisfaction.

Sustainability at the Core of Operations Liebherr doesn’t just provide cutting-edge solutions; it does so with a commitment to sustainability. The company integrates eco-friendly technologies and practices, with recent innovations including the delivery of the first Liebherr Harbour Mobile crane running on fossil-free and almost emission-free HVO100 diesel. This renewable diesel is produced through the hydro-treatment of vegetable oils and/or organic fats, aligning with Liebherr’s dedication to environmental responsibility. Notably, Liebherr achieved an EcoVadis Gold rating, placing them in the top 5% of rated companies in the industry.

A Customer-Centric Approach Sets Liebherr Apart In a final reflection on customer satisfaction, Darren emphasizes that what sets Liebherr apart is their unwavering commitment to the client. It’s not just about state-of-the-art equipment; it’s about forming a partnership that transcends transactions. Liebherr prioritizes responsiveness, reliability, and innovative solutions, providing a distinct advantage over competitors. Clients don’t just purchase equipment; they enter into a lasting alliance that ensures their success and growth.

Liebherr-Africa emerges not just as a supplier but as a strategic partner, deeply ingrained in the success stories of the industries it serves. With a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, Liebherr stands at the forefront of shaping the future of material handling in Africa.

Darren Jankelow Maritime Cranes Sales Manager 5

EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE

I FALL 2023

What you learn from your previous jobs always provides some guidance in terms of how you handle your current role

6

FALL 2023 I EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE

She describes herself as a procurement expert with an in-depth understanding of procurement practices, policies, processes, procedures and principles, and with the ability to address broader issues of procurement in terms of the impact at the project and institutional level.

Starting her career in a company that acted as a procurement agent for the Millennium Challenge Account Namibia (MCA-N) and thereafter directly with MCA-Namibia (a bilateral United States foreign aid agency who provided a 4 year Compact to promote economic growth in various sectors in middle income countries) in Namibia. After the completion of the Compact, she moved to the coast of Namibia to become Procurement and Contracts Manager at Swakop Uranium – Husab Mine at the time when the mine started production in 2014, before joining Namport in December 2019.

This experience, in both private and public procurement environments, and by managing suppliers from different sectors has been invaluable, she says. “What you learn from your previous jobs always provides some guidance in terms of how you handle your current role. My background from the mining industry helped me tremendously in understanding the operations at Namport in terms of the technical requirements required for the various equipment and the context of managing different suppliers. I leaned heavily on those professional relationships that I forged during my time at Husab Mine and continue to develop them here at Namport as many of the suppliers serve both the mining and marine industries.”

Suppliers at the core NAMPORT’s vision – to be the best performing seaports in Africa, and their Mission – to provided excellent port services to all seaborne trade and creating sustainable value for all their stakeholders, serves as the point of direction for the procurement department’s role in the organization.

She continues by saying that building strategic relationships with suppliers is crucial but, to also keep them at arm’s length. “They are still business relationships that strongly impact the company’s performance and if a supplier does not deliver or become complacent due to long term contracts or relationships, we will source from another willing and capable supplier. We do have databases of different industry suppliers, 7

EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE

I FALL 2023

Namport leans heavily on the expertise they can provide to further upskill our teams but any company is welcome to introduce themselves and their products on offer, and if the right opportunity arises, we will invite them to partake in the available procurement opportunities that suits their skills and expertise, in order to maintain a fair and competitive procurement process.”

Namport, as a public

8

enterprise, is subject to the Public Procurement Act (PPA) in Namibia, which -provides the guidelines and regulations how the bidding process should be conducted.

Albeit restrictive in many ways, the implementation of the PPA in 2018, still allows for solicitation from” the international markets where so need and required and where the

operational need from the organization dictates that the international markets are explored, and we are still able to get the best, most reliable suppliers that we need, and ensure compliance to the Act.” She herself has contributed a lot to the enhancement of Namport’s practices.

Shortly after she joined

the company, the global pandemic forced most companies to start thinking differently, and switching to electronic platforms for bid submissions, has been one of the results, a process that she passionately supported and in which she played a key role at Namport.

Melani commented that global supply

FALL 2023 I EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE

chains were and are significantly impacted by the covid pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and the looming threat of the global climate change crisis.

In fact, these challenges have demonstrated that many parts of the global supply chain infrastructure are and remain fragile.

She was also appointed as the lead procure-

ment consultant for Namibia’s Ministry of Finance through the Procurement Policy Unit (PPU) , with funding assistance by GIZ for the review, simplification, development and alignment of existing bidding documents, processes and procedures and the development of new bidding documents and guidance notes. , This invaluable experi-

ence resulted in for the upskilling of the team at Namport and a better understanding of the bidding process for the bidders as a whole, especially to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) in Namibia, which leads to better bid submissions.

Western Africa’s transhipment hub To fully appreciate

Melani’s role’s impact, it is necessary to look at the wider context within which the company operates. Namport is a state-owned entity founded in 1994 after Namibia’s independence in 1990, and manages Namibia’s ports in both Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, with capacities exceeding 6 million tonnes and over 750 000 TEUs per annum.

9

EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE

The Namibian Ports Authority (“Namport”) is established by the Namibian Ports Authority Act, 1994 (Act No 2 of 1994) which is its enabling legislation. Namport is also a public enterprise and as such operates within the legal framework of the Public Enterprises Governance Act, 2006 (Act No 2 of 2006) and the Public Procurement Act No 15 of 2015.

Namport is mandated by the Government of the Republic of Namibia under the Act of 1994, to manage both Port of Walvis Bay and Port of 10

I FALL 2023

Luderitz since 1994.

The Port of Walvis Bay, situated on Africa’s south-western coast, serves a convenient and fast transit route connecting southern Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas. It is recognised as a transhipment hub for the entire west coast of Africa, serving the major container liners of the region in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.

The Port of Lüderitz, located 254 nautical miles south of the Port of Walvis Bay, caters for Namibia’s southern

regions and provides access to South African markets in the Northern Cape.

Both Ports operate in the maritime sub-sector of Namibia’s transport sector, as well as in the competitive landscape of the Ports and Logistics Industry in the Southern African region.

The Ports are linked to Namibia’s air, rail and road network, making it well situated to serve landlocked countries in Southern Africa, especially through the main arteries of the Walvis

Bay Corridor Group, namely the Trans-Kalahari, Trans-Cunene, Trans-Oranje and the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Transport Corridors.

Both ports are positioned for preferred access to markets in Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola and Botswana. Namport was instrumental in establishing the Walvis Bay Corridor Group which seeks to ensure sustainable cargo for the countries of the SADC region and provide the

FALL 2023 I EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE

best means of access for their markets.

International support Namport is sometimes credited with managing one of the best performing ports in Africa. Not only are they gateways to neighbouring landlocked countries, but they provide other benefits, says Melani.

“Namibia has excellent road infrastructure and cargo can be safely and securely transported to the end destination. That makes it very attractive for deliveries to Botswana, Angola and Zimbabwe. We also have very competitive tariffs, another factor much appreciated by logistics operators.”

The Ports are being further developed with the support of, and in close cooperation with other international Ports. For example, with EU backing, the Port of Antwerp and Bruges International will develop a master plan that covers multimodal infrastructure, spatial planning and market organisation for

the Port of Walvis Bay. “Namport leans heavily on the expertise they can provide to further upskill our teams, improve the business model that we currently have as well as our sustainability practices, which are not just about the environment but also about local people.

The unemployment rate in Namibia is about 47% so there is great scope for creating job opportunities for both qualified and unqualified individuals, to help them develop to contribute to the economy.”

“Within our ESG strategy, we look carefully at previously disadvantaged people, small and medium enterprises, and female-owned organisations, as diversity and economic empowerment is important to us,” says De Klerk who herself is a striking role model of female leadership in an industry traditionally dominated by males.

Growing with Namibia The Port Industry is a unique business and Namport finds itself

being the sole operator and authority within Namibia. This, however, does not come with less challenges as Namport gears up for the demands in the oil and green hydrogen boom and to remain relevant and competitive in the Port Industry.

The Port of Walvis Bay is also set to play a prominent role in the country’s ambitious plans to become a global export leader in green hydrogen, and Namport has set aside 350 hectares of land at the Port of Walvis Bay for allocation to green-hydrogen related industries.

This follows the Memorandum of Understanding that Namport signed with the Port of Rotterdam in 2021, the objective of which is to develop a supply chain plan to facilitate green hydrogen exports from Namibia to Rotterdam.

The Port of Rotterdam anticipates a demand of twenty million tons of hydrogen per annum to pass through its port’s industrial complex by 2050.

This approach is set to

be further promoted as Namport plans to invest $2.1 billion in its Port expansion to support the country’s growing economy. The new container terminal is being put up for concession, enabling larger vessels to enter the port of Walvis Bay. The Port was expanded through the reclamation of 40 hectares of land from the ocean, dubbed the New Container Terminal (NCT) Reclamation land project, of which construction was started mid-2014 and commissioned in August 2019.

The project was developed at a cost of N$ 4 billion to create bigger capacity and to enhance efficiencies. The development of the NCT was premised on envisaged enhanced capacity and increase handling capacity of containerized cargo from 350, 000 TEU’s to 750, 000 TEU’s.

Needless to say, this development will have a major impact on the supply chain and its management but given her experience and track record, Melani and the procurement team is well prepared and equipped to handle the challenge.

11

www.namport.com.na

Ambersarmy.org.uk

EXECUTIVE INSIGHT LEADING THE PROFESSIONAL CHARGE

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MAGAZINE Executive Insight Magazine published by J S International Media ©2023