Suez Canal Authority Increases Africa Growth with Namibia Ports MoU

As part of its larger plan to increase its presence throughout Africa, the SCA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Namibian Ports Authority in Ismailia to promote port development, maritime training, and marine projects.

As the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Namibian Ports Authority to support port development and maritime training, Chairperson Osama Rabie stated on Wednesday that the authority is prepared to open new markets and increase its presence throughout the African continent.

The agreement, signed at the SCA headquarters in Ismailia, aims to strengthen bilateral collaboration and share knowledge in the sale and leasing of marine units, as well as maritime building projects. Advanced maritime training via the SCA's academies is also included.

Rabie emphasized the SCA's plan to grow its programs internationally while reaffirming the authority's preparedness for "fruitful and constructive" cooperation. He cited the recent development and reopening of Libya's Sirte port, which had been closed for 14 years, as a "successful first step" for foreign initiatives with friendly states.

The partnership will assist an ambitious expansion plan for Namibia's ports, which are the biggest in West Africa, according to Nangiola Hamyunela, Chairperson of the Namibian Ports Authority.

Using the SCA's advanced technology and experience, according to Hamyunela, will expedite development efforts and free Namibia from "dependence on foreign expertise and technology transfer from other continents."

Rabie, citing the SCA's integrated system of shipyards and companies for maritime and logistics services, ordered that complete support be given to enable the start of practical cooperation.

Both Andreas Kanime, CEO of the Namibian Ports Authority, and Neshat Nasr El-Din, Director of Movements for the SCA, signed the document. Engineer Abdel Hakim Abdel Nasser, board members, and SCA Vice Chairman Ashraf Atwa were present at the event.

After the signing, the team took a tour of the Maritime Training and Simulation Academy, the Canal Harbour and Great Projects Company's floating pontoon and concrete buoy factory, and a lineup of marine equipment manufactured by SCA shipyards.