COSCO ships 17 RTG cranes from China to Namibia’s Port of Walvis Bay

NAMIBIA – COSCO SHIPPING Specialised Carriers has successfully loaded and dispatched 17 rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGs) bound for Africa, sourced from Zhenhua Heavy Industries’ (ZPMC) manufacturing base in Nantong, China, as the company moves to significantly upgrade container-handling infrastructure at Walvis Bay, Namibia.

Transporting high-precision, large-scale port machinery across ocean routes demanded exceptional engineering precision and strategic asset management.

Therefore, the operational team fully utilized the vessels’ expansive deck space and advanced heavy-lift capabilities to safely arrange and secure the full fleet of 17 cranes.

Despite compressed preparation timelines, the project team maintained flawless coordination across vessel allocation, terminal management, and quayside operations.

Engineering Precision and Safety Standards

Every stage of the loading procedure was monitored in accordance with demanding third-party Marine Warranty Survey standards, and all 17 RTGs passed rigorous technical safety inspections on the first attempt.

This project marks a significant infrastructure upgrade for Southern Africa, aimed at increasing container throughput and improving regional supply chain efficiency.

Regional Impact and Economic Significance

Once installed at the Port of Walvis Bay, these modern RTGs will transform local port logistics by increasing container throughput, reducing vessel turnaround times, and streamlining regional supply chains across Southern Africa.

By expanding operational capacity at one of the Atlantic coast’s premier maritime hubs, COSCO SHIPPING and ZPMC continue to strengthen international trade connectivity and support economic development across regional markets.

Projects of this scale demonstrate the specialized expertise, operational agility, and high-level global collaboration required to safely deliver critical heavy infrastructure across continents. The successful completion of this operation highlights the growing importance of Walvis Bay as a strategic gateway for Southern African trade.

This strategic project is a calculated effort to enhance international trade connectivity and support economic growth in the Atlantic gateway, with COSCO SHIPPING maintaining a focus on operational excellence and technical precision.

In the end, through this initiative, the participating maritime partners are actively enhancing international trade connectivity and supporting economic growth in the Atlantic gateway.

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