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namib times
SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6864 FRIDAY 22 MAY 2020 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Walvis Bay and Lüderitz to become global passenger liner storage areas To stay at anchorage in Namibian water to wait for Covid-19 storm to pass As the global Covid-19 lockdown continues to ravage the world economy, an unexpected economic windfall is coming Walvis Bay and Lüderitz’s way. Passenger ships, out of work as a result of the global tourism crash, will be brought to Walvis Bay and Lüderitz to be kept at anchorage waiting for economic recovery. In the months the vessels will stay at anchorage, the local economy is set to benefit in various ways. Firstly, the Namibia Ports authority will be charging anchorage fees, the passenger liners will have to be provided with necessities for the skeleton crews aboard, crew changes will have to be conducted regularly and local marine engineering service providers would be available to provide repair and maintenance services. Walvis Bay is not new to this kind of business. In the early part of the 1970’s, the global oil tanker industry also used Walvis Bay to keep oil tanker ships at anchorage in the wake of the global Arab oil embargo. The oil embargo resulted in a severe supply shortage of oil and petroleum to the West between late 1973 and 1974. That spurred fuel rationing in most Western countries including South Africa and then South West Africa and for the West to rethink energy strategies to move away from dependence on oil supplies from Arab nations. Walvis Bay over decades since re-integration became the preferred hub for the oil industry to keep oil rigs and other oil industry vessels at anchorage awaiting the return of favourable market conditions. The global passenger liner industry is now set to follow this example and comes as a much needed income generating opportunity for Walvis Bay amidst the global Covid-19 pandemic which severely affects economies at every level. Namport’s statement in this regards reads “Namport accomodates the call for anchoprage facilities of cruise passenger liners at the Namibian ports. Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 in December 2019 and the subsequent declaration by the World Health Organisation of the virus as a global pandemic, countries across the whole world have introduced various restrictions in an effort to combat the spread of the COVID-19. The travel restrictions have invariably unfortunatly impacted upon, inter alia, the cruise tourism industry as tourists have ceased to travel. Consequently, multitudes of cruise liner ships which are used to ferry tourists across destinations around the world are now idling and seeking parking space. Continues on page 2
Two more Covid-19 cases confirmed Namibia has two more confirmed Covid-19 cases, bringing the total to 18 confirmed cases. Two women, aged 66 and 28, who returned from South Africa recently tested positive for the Coronavirus. The women were both under compulsory quarantine when they tested positive, highlighting the importance of mandatory quarantine if
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Torra Bay opening never took place
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Air Namibia tightens the salary belt
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Learn to drive in the dunes
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Air Namibia signed an agreement with its employees, the Namibia Transport and Allied Workers Union (NATAU) and Namibia Airline Pilots Association (NAPA), to reduce wage expenses for the months of June, July and August. That is to ease the financial pressure on the airline as air travel collapsed since the Covid-19 responses kicked in since mid-March. In terms of these agreements no employee will earn leave days for the months of June, July and August; 3 accumulated leave days each for the months of June, July and August will be cancelled, no overtime will be applicable for these three months and all employees in acting positions will see a 5 % cut in their fringe benefits.
Thank you Blue Waters Page 12