Fishing Industry

Namibia’s fishing industry is widely regarded as one of the best-managed fisheries in the world and remains a key contributor to employment and export earnings. The sector employs thousands of people directly and indirectly, with Walvis Bay serving as the centre of Namibia’s commercial fishing industry.

With more than two kilometres of landing quays, modern cold-storage facilities, processing plants and canneries, the fishing industry continues to play an important role in the economic development of Walvis Bay. The main species harvested include hake, horse mackerel, pilchard (sardine), rock lobster, tuna, sole and monkfish. Much of the catch is processed locally and exported to international markets.

Walvis Bay also hosts fishmeal production facilities that utilise by-products from the fishing industry. Aquaculture has developed steadily in the bay, particularly in the farming of oysters, mussels and abalone. High-value seafood products are processed for export to niche markets in Europe, Asia, the United States and other regions.

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Engineering & Manufacturing

The presence of a large fishing fleet and increasing offshore activity has led to the development of well-equipped engineering and fabrication companies in Walvis Bay. These firms provide ship repair, maintenance and marine engineering services to the fishing, shipping and offshore industries.

The growing offshore oil and gas exploration sector along Namibia’s coast is also creating new opportunities for engineering and support services in Walvis Bay. The sector supports a range of related industries, including shipping agents, ship chandlers, construction companies, transport operators and accommodation providers.

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Salt Production

The salt fields south of Walvis Bay form one of the largest solar evaporation salt production facilities in Africa. Operated by Walvis Bay Salt Holdings, the approximately 4,500-hectare salt works processes millions of cubic metres of seawater each year to produce high-quality solar sea salt.

Production exceeds one million tonnes of salt annually, with the majority exported to international markets in Africa, Europe and the Americas for use in chemical processing, food production and other industrial applications.

The salt pans are located south of the Walvis Bay Lagoon and are visually striking due to the distinctive red and pink hues created by algae in the evaporation ponds.

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Granite

Granite deposits located east of Walvis Bay are quarried and processed locally. Rough blocks of stone are extracted and transported to processing facilities in Walvis Bay where they are cut and polished into finished natural stone products.

The granite, known for its attractive yellowish-grey colour, is exported to international markets including the United States and Europe for use in architectural and decorative applications such as flooring, countertops and hotel interiors.

Uranium

Namibia is one of the world’s leading uranium producers, and several major uranium mines operate in the Erongo Region, within logistical reach of Walvis Bay. Key mines include:

• Rössing Uranium Mine
• Husab Mine
• Langer Heinrich Mine

These operations produce several thousand tonnes of uranium oxide annually for export to global nuclear energy markets. The proximity of Walvis Bay allows the port to play an important role in the export logistics and supply chain supporting Namibia’s uranium industry.

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Oil & Gas

Offshore exploration for oil and gas along the Namibian coast continues to gain momentum following several significant discoveries in recent years, particularly in the Orange Basin off southern Namibia. International energy companies such as TotalEnergies, Shell, and Galp, in partnership with Namibia’s national oil company NAMCOR, have discovered substantial reserves of light crude oil and gas in deep-water exploration blocks located roughly 250–300 kilometres offshore.

These discoveries, including the Graff, Venus and Mopane prospects, have highlighted the region’s potential to become one of the world’s emerging petroleum provinces, with some estimates suggesting billions of barrels of recoverable resources.

As exploration and appraisal drilling intensify and development plans move forward, the port plays a crucial role as a logistics and supply hub, providing essential services, equipment, and support to the numerous offshore exploration and production activities taking place along Namibia’s coastline.

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Logistics & Transport

The Port of Walvis Bay plays a critical role in freight logistics and supply chain management for Namibia and several landlocked countries in Southern Africa.

Following the completion of the Walvis Bay Container Terminal, the port significantly increased its cargo-handling capacity, strengthening its role as a logistics hub for the region.

Walvis Bay provides an important gateway to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region through a network of trade routes known as the Walvis Bay Corridors. These include:

• Trans‑Kalahari Corridor linking Namibia with Botswana and South Africa
• Walvis Bay–Ndola–Lubumbashi Development Corridor connecting Namibia with Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo
• Trans‑Cunene Corridor linking Namibia and Angola

These corridors provide some of the shortest and most efficient trade routes between the Atlantic Ocean and inland Southern Africa, reducing transport time and costs for regional trade.

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Retail & Industrial Activity

Walvis Bay has a diversified business sector with a range of retail, industrial and service-based businesses supporting the city’s economy. The construction industry remains active due to ongoing development in housing, tourism infrastructure and port-related facilities.

Modern retail facilities such as Dunes Mall host many national and international retail brands. Namibia’s currency, the Namibian Dollar, is pegged at parity with the South African Rand, facilitating trade and financial transactions with South Africa.

The city’s banking sector provides comprehensive domestic and international financial services, supporting both local businesses and international trade operations.

Transport and Connectivity

Walvis Bay is well connected to Namibia’s national road and rail networks and maintains strong international links through telecommunications, aviation and shipping services. The city serves as the maritime gateway for several regional trade corridors that connect the port with inland markets in Southern and Central Africa.

Key routes include the Trans-Kalahari Corridor, linking the port to Botswana and South Africa, and the Walvis Bay–Ndola–Lubumbashi Development Corridor, which connects Namibia to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These corridors form part of the regional logistics network promoted by the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, aimed at facilitating trade through the port of Walvis Bay.

Namibia’s rail network links Walvis Bay with the interior of the country and neighbouring South Africa, supporting the movement of bulk commodities and freight to and from the port.

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Port

The Port of Walvis Bay is Namibia’s principal deep-water port and provides direct access to major international shipping routes along the west coast of Africa. The port offers efficient transit times between the Southern African region and global markets in Europe, the Americas and Asia.

Operated by the Namibia Ports Authority, the port consists of the commercial port and the fishing harbour and provides a range of terminal facilities for containerised cargo, bulk and break-bulk commodities, as well as refrigerated and dry cargo.

The development of the new container terminal significantly increased the port’s cargo-handling capacity and strengthened Walvis Bay’s position as a regional logistics hub. The port is supported by modern infrastructure and equipment, ensuring efficient cargo handling and competitive vessel turnaround times.

Ship repair and marine engineering services are also available at the port, including facilities such as the Synchrolift and floating docks that support fishing fleets and offshore vessels.

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Airport

Inaugarated in 2016 the revamped Walvis Bay International Airport is located approximately 11 km east of the city centre. The airport has undergone major upgrades in recent years, including runway improvements and modernised navigation systems, enabling it to accommodate larger commercial aircraft and cargo operations.

Runway information:
Aerodrome Reference Code: 3C
Runway Length : 1830 m
Runway Width : 30 m
Secondary Runway Length: 1193 m
Secondary Runway Width : 30 m
Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Category: Cat 4

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Water and Electricity

Walvis Bay obtains potable water primarily from underground aquifers associated with the Kuiseb River, supplemented by regional water supply systems serving the Erongo region. These aquifers are periodically replenished by seasonal flows originating in the central highlands of Namibia.

Electricity supply to Walvis Bay is reliable and forms part of Namibia’s national grid, which is connected to the Southern African Power Pool and supported by regional generation sources.

Telecommunications

Namibia has one of the more advanced telecommunications infrastructures in Africa, with extensive fibre-optic networks, modern broadband services and widespread mobile connectivity. Telecommunications services in Walvis Bay are provided by companies such as MTC Namibia, Telecom Namibia, and Paratus Namibia, ensuring reliable national and international communication links.

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Medical Facilities

Walvis Bay offers a range of medical services through both public and private healthcare facilities, including the Walvis Bay Private Hospital and the Walvis Bay State Hospital, as well as several clinics and private medical practices.

The city also hosts a number of educational institutions, including primary and secondary schools, vocational training centres and tertiary education branches, contributing to the development of local human resources.

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Environmental and Social Responsibility

Walvis Bay’s development has been supported by responsible planning and collaboration between local authorities and the business community. Environmental management and social responsibility remain key priorities, particularly given the ecological importance of areas such as the Walvis Bay Lagoon, which is recognised as an internationally significant wetland and bird habitat.

Tourism

Walvis Bay is renowned for its wide open spaces, scenic coastal landscapes and unique combination of desert and marine ecosystems. Situated along Namibia’s central coast, the town forms part of the gateway to the Skeleton Coast, offering a range of outdoor and nature-based tourism experiences.

While the neighbouring town of Swakopmund is widely known as the region’s tourism centre, it is important to note that the municipal boundary lies at the Swakop River bridge. Much of the dune belt and coastal area south of the river—including Langstrand and the dune fields where many adventure activities take place—falls within the jurisdiction of Walvis Bay.

Walvis Bay is well suited to an outdoor lifestyle and offers a wide range of recreational activities including sandboarding, kitesurfing, surfing, swimming, angling, sailing and golf. The strong and consistent south-westerly coastal winds create ideal conditions for wind-driven water sports, making the area particularly popular with kitesurfing enthusiasts.

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Coastal Recreation

The Namibian coastline is well known among anglers, with some of the largest edible fish species in Africa caught from its shores. Popular species include steenbras, kabeljou (kob), snoek and other seasonal varieties. Recreational anglers are required to obtain a fishing permit before fishing along the coast.

One of Namibia’s most famous desert landmarks is Dune 7, one of the highest sand dunes along the Namibian coast. Located just outside Walvis Bay, the dune is a popular attraction for visitors who enjoy climbing the crest for panoramic views of the surrounding desert landscape.

The extensive coastal dune belt south of the Swakop River provides ideal terrain for activities such as sandboarding, quad biking and paragliding. These dunes, although often associated with Swakopmund tourism marketing, are largely situated within the Walvis Bay municipal area.

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Lagoon and Birdlife

The Walvis Bay Lagoon is one of the most important coastal wetlands in Southern Africa and is recognised internationally as a Ramsar Wetland Site. Estimated to be several thousand years old, the lagoon provides a critical feeding ground for migratory birds.

Up to 200,000 birds representing more than 50 species can be found here, including flamingos, pelicans and other migratory shorebirds. A scenic promenade stretching along the lagoon allows visitors to enjoy birdwatching and panoramic views of the bay.

To the south of the lagoon lie the colourful evaporation ponds of the Walvis Bay Salt Holdings salt works, where striking red and pink hues are created by algae in the shallow ponds.

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Marine Wildlife and Ocean Activities

Walvis Bay also offers excellent opportunities to explore the Atlantic Ocean. Guided sea kayaking and boat excursions allow visitors to encounter marine wildlife such as Cape fur seals, dolphins and a variety of seabirds.

Common sightings include bottlenose dolphins, while leatherback turtles and several whale species are occasionally seen during seasonal migrations.

A unique feature visible north of Walvis Bay is the Walvis Bay Guano Platform, a large offshore structure supported by hundreds of wooden stilts and historically used for the collection of seabird guano.

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Visitor Services

Local tour operators offer a wide range of guided excursions including quad-bike tours, off-road desert drives, marine cruises and scenic flights along the coastline. Walvis Bay also offers a variety of restaurants, cafés and shopping facilities, together with modern banking and other services to ensure a comfortable and convenient visitor experience.

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Pelican Point

Another distinctive attraction is Pelican Point, a narrow peninsula that stretches between the Atlantic Ocean and the outer harbour of Walvis Bay. The point is home to the historic Pelican Point Lighthouse and one of the largest colonies of Cape Fur Seal along the Namibian coast.

The area can be accessed by guided 4×4 excursions across the salt pans and tidal flats, offering visitors the opportunity to observe thousands of seals, seabirds and other marine wildlife in their natural environment. The peninsula’s remote coastal scenery, shipwrecks and panoramic ocean views make it one of Walvis Bay’s most unique tourism experiences.

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Sandwich Harbour

One of the most spectacular coastal attractions near Walvis Bay is Sandwich Harbour, where the towering dunes of the Namib Desert dramatically meet the Atlantic Ocean. Located south of Walvis Bay within the Namib-Naukluft National Park, this unique landscape forms part of the Namib Sand Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Accessible only by guided 4×4 vehicles due to shifting tides and soft desert terrain, Sandwich Harbour has become one of the region’s most popular excursions, particularly for visitors arriving on cruise liners at the Port of Walvis Bay. The area is also an important wetland habitat supporting large numbers of migratory birds, making it a favourite destination for photographers, nature lovers and adventure seekers.

Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Walvis Bay

The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) traces its roots to the Walvis Bay Chamber of Commerce, established in 1955, and was incorporated into the NCCI upon its founding on 15 July 1990 as the representative body for Namibia’s business sector. Since then, the NCCI has facilitated numerous business ventures between its members and partners locally and internationally.

The NCCI’s primary mandate is to advocate for the interests of its members and provide a wide range of services to the business community in Namibia and abroad. Its membership comprises over 2,500 businesses across all sectors of the Namibian economy. The NCCI has established branches in 14 towns, bringing its services closer to members across the country.

Recognized as the premier voice of Namibian business, the NCCI engages with key stakeholders, including the government and organized labor, on critical issues affecting the business environment. Through its advocacy, the chamber contributes valuable input to policies and legislation that shape Namibia’s commercial landscape.

To support its members, the NCCI offers services designed to enhance competitiveness, improve efficiency, and facilitate growth, including:

• Guidance on adapting to global business trends
• Implementation of industry best practices
• Insights into government policies and regulations
• Networking opportunities with local and international entrepreneurs

Contact – NCCI Walvis Bay