The current COVID-19 pandemic has impacted organisations on both a global and local scale. Astute governments, as well as public and private sector organisations worldwide, are adapting at a rapid rate to mitigate the health and economic impacts of the Novel Coronavirus.
Established ship repair and wholly Namibian-owned company Namdock, strategically located on the west coast of Africa in Walvis Bay, has the health and wellbeing not only of its local and international client and supplier base, but also of the Namibian people at heart during this extraordinarily challenging and uncertain time.
“We have an inherently strong relationship with our valued clients and suppliers, as well as with our staff. We are furthermore deeply invested in and proud of our community and country as a whole,” explains Namdock Acting CEO Heritha Nankole Muyoba.
“We would like to reassure all our stakeholders that we are taking every precaution to ensure the safety of our customers, employees, support service providers as well as the community at large during the COVID-19 outbreak,” Nankole Muyoba adds.
At the outset of the pandemic, Namdock implemented a comprehensive response plan, including adherence to prescribed protocols for the prevention and control of transmission of Covid infections. The company also adopted a proactive approach to ongoing risk management, and has subsequently continually monitored adherence to the preventative measures put in place. “Our approach is consistent with global best practice,” she advises.
On 17 March 2020, the Namibian government declared a state of emergency and responded with urgent measures, issuing a directive for a national lockdown to contain the spread of the Coronavirus. The lockdown, in effect from 27 March 2020 until 17 April 2020, will affect Namdock’s docking schedule, with an attendant impact on its clients.
As such, the company anticipates that activities at its shipyard – which includes three floating docks, seven cranes and fully equipped onsite workshops – should recommence after 21 calendar days. Nankole Muyoba assures stakeholders that updates will be communicated accordingly, as guidance and instructions are received from the Namibian government.
As a further precautionary lockdown measure, Namibian Ports Authority Namport has instituted a directive requiring foreign-flagged vessels to stay at anchorage for a minimum period of 2 weeks before entering the main port or docking for repairs. In some instances, the two week waiting period may be reduced, taking into account the vessel’s time spent at sea after leaving the last port of call.
“We would like our clients to keep in mind that the DMA (Department of Maritime Affairs) or Port Health may have to put additional measures in place to combat the spread of COVID-19. Namdock will remain compliant in terms of all prescribed government directives, and will communicate all relevant information to our stakeholders timeously, as soon as it becomes available,” Nankole Muyoba says.
At this time of great global uncertainty, Nankole Muyoba asserts that Namdock clients can rest assured company’s core values of trust, excellence and integrity are unwavering: “We will continue to abide by our ethos and values, remaining transparent and providing our valued stakeholders with updates as we receive them.
Our hearts go out to all who have been affected by COVID-19. As global citizens and as Namibians, we are extremely resilient. I am therefore confident that despite the challenges we all face because of this pandemic, Namdock and our valued stakeholders will navigate these turbulent waters together,” she concludes.
About Namdock
Namdock, an established ship repair company strategically located on the west coast of Africa in Walvis Bay, Namibia, provides a holistic service solution in all aspects of marine engineering and ship repair to the local and international shipping and offshore industry; as well as land-based engineering and fabrication services to a variety of industries including mining.
The company operates three privately-owned floating docks – including a Panamax-sized dock – in Walvis Bay.
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