Recognizing the global paradigm shift towards sustainable shipping and the evolving regulatory landscape mandated by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) and the Paris Agreement, Namibia aims to capitalise on locally adapted early adoption for economic gain.
Given the significant contribution of maritime transport to Namibia’s economy, aligning with green practices presents substantial opportunities for growth, innovation, and differentiation from regional maritime competitors vying for the same vessel traffic and cargo volumes. Consequently, in a major step toward a sustainable maritime industry, Namibia is developing a National Action Plan for Maritime Decarbonisation (NAP).
The development of the NAP is being spearheaded by a dedicated task force, with the Namibian Ministry of Works and Transport as chair and the Namibian Port Authority (Namport) as the deputy chair. The task team consist of members from a wide range of partners, including the Namibian Green Hydrogen Programme, Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, National Planning Commission, Ministry of Justice and Labour, Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs (the navy), Ministry of Environment, Forestry & Tourism, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Namibia Petroleum Corporation (NAMCOR), Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) and the National Commission on Research Science and Technology (NCRST).
The strategic framework of the NAP will guide the country’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its shipping sector, aligning with the ambitious goals set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to achieve net-zero emissions by or around 2050.
Namibia’s maritime sector, centered on the key ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, is a cornerstone of its economy. These ports handle over 7 million metric tons of cargo annually and are vital for regional trade in Southern Africa. The new NAP is designed to future-proof this critical industry by identifying concrete measures, regulatory pathways, and investment opportunities to promote low- and zero-emission technologies.
A Strategic Framework for Sustainable Growth
The NAP, supported by the Namibian-German Green Hydrogen Partnership, will serve as a roadmap for the country’s transition to green shipping. Its core objectives include:
- Promoting Green Technology: Identifying and fostering investment in technologies that can reduce emissions, from energy efficiency measures to the adoption of alternative fuels like green hydrogen, green ammonia and green methanol.
- Capacity Building: Enhancing institutional capabilities and ensuring all stakeholders, from government ministries to private companies, are equipped to implement the plan.
- Stakeholder Participation: Creating a collaborative environment where key players can contribute to the plan’s development and implementation.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Establishing clear mechanisms to track progress and ensure accountability in meeting decarbonisation targets.
Green Corridors and Economic Opportunity
The new plan is expected to pave the way for strategic green shipping corridors, creating new opportunities for trade and technology partnerships. Namibia’s abundant renewable energy resources make it an ideal location for producing green hydrogen and its derivatives, which are essential for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as shipping.
The plan will empower existing industry leaders and project developers, including:
- Hyphen Hydrogen Energy: A green hydrogen and ammonia project aimed at large-scale production for export, positioning Namibia as a global leader in the green energy transition.
- HyIron: A pioneering project for green direct reduced iron ore, which uses green hydrogen to produce iron with zero emissions.
- Cleanergy Solutions Namibia: The company is developing green hydrogen and ammonia bunkering facilities, including a pilot site at Walvis Bay and a large-scale project at Arandis, to provide clean fuels for the maritime sector.
- Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC): The shipping giant is a key partner in developing container vessel operations that align with sustainable practices.
For international partners, particularly from Germany, the NAP presents a significant opportunity. By developing a low-emission maritime sector, Namibia helps to de-risk future green hydrogen import corridors. German companies can gain early entry into this market by providing technology and logistics expertise, helping to build a resilient and sustainable supply chain that meets EU climate regulations and ESG benchmarks.
