This new green partnership will involve work through the International Port Development Cooperation Programme (IPDCP), a Korean government-led initiative launched in 2008 to support port development in partner countries such as Namibia.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s an initiative which entails offering technical and financial backing for the develoment of masterplans and carrying out feasibility studies in port greening projects.<\/p>\n
Strategic partnerships<\/strong><\/p>\n The new partnership follows in the footsteps of similar ones with the European Union (EU) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) that are all aimed at transitioning of both Walvis Bay and Luderitz ports to be among the most modern green maritime gateways in Africa.<\/p>\n In December 2025, the EU, which has an existing strategic partnership with Namibia on sustainable raw materials value chains and renewable hydrogen, signed a NAD 13 million (GBP \u00a3583,500) partnership between the Port of Rotterdam, the largest seaport in Europe and the world\u2019s largest seaport outside of Asia, and Namport, to support the planning of the L\u00fcderitz Port expansion project in Angra Point<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Port of Rotterdam has committed to support Namport develop Luderitz into a green hydrogen export hub and facilitate the forecast growth of a green hydrogen supply chain between Namibia and the Netherlands.<\/p>\n Rotterdam has already supported Namport in updating of the master plan for the expansion of L\u00fcderitz\u2019s Angra Point area with several recommendations such as the three-year expansion of the current quay wall in Robert Harbour by 200 to 300 metres to accommodate oil and gas, green hydrogen and manganese-related cargo activities at an estimated cost of NAD 2 billion (GBP \u00a389,800,000).<\/p>\n In addition, the EU had in a previous deal with Namibia, financed the cooperation between Port of Antwerp-Bruges International (POABI), an affiliate of Belgium-based Antwerp Port Authority and Namport for the development of a master plan for the expansion of Walvis Bay Port targeting doubling of the port\u2019s capacity and attract at least NAD 10 billion (GBP 448,830,000) in potential public private investments.<\/p>\n The EU has said that the expansion of both ports is aimed at strengthening \u201cstrategic trade corridors between Africa and Europe, positioning Namibia as a key regional gateway for sustainable trade and a future green logistics hub within global green maritime corridors.\u201d<\/p>\n Transformative journey<\/strong><\/p>\n Namibian ports then are on a transformative journey backed by international support and investment. of which the partnership with South Korea is the latest.<\/p>\n Namport\u2019s CEO Andrew Kanime says that Namibia\u2019s new maritime partnership with South Korea is \u201cnot the end of a process, but the beginning of a transformative journey and with this partnership, our ports will become greener, cleaner, safer and more competitive, while supporting economic growth and protecting our environment.\u201d<\/p>\n Namibia, which has been striving to achieve sustainable and climate-resilient port operations, resolved in March 2022 to push for an implementable strategy that would transform both the ports of Walvis Bay and Luderitz into environmentally friendly gateways placing them and the country \u201cat the forefront of Africa\u2019s green port transition.\u201d<\/p>\n