Staff Writer 
THE National Handling Services (NHS) plans to boost cargo throughput at Walvis Bay dry port in a bid to expand trade capabilities and increase revenue streams.
The acting chief executive, Phillip Rambakudzibwa, said these plans are anchored in the port’s strategic potential to drive regional and international trade.
“The dry port presents a significant opportunity for growth. It is one of the potential key drivers for trade, linking us to the sea and the global market. Our priority is to capitalise on this asset by increasing the scope of cargo we can handle at the facility,” he said.
According to NHS, the dry port is now self-sustaining and no longer requires working capital support from Zimbabwe.
However, the company intends to invest in modern equipment and infrastructure, including building a dedicated warehouse to improve capacity.
“Currently, storage is managed by individual clients, but by establishing our own warehouse, we can create demand and offer diverse services, such as handling oil cargo.
This will position us for significant growth by 2025,” added Rambakudzibwa.
NHS is also exploring plans to establish a dry port in Mutare, utilising two hectares of land already secured in the area.
The project, which is expected to cost several million dollars, aims to ease congestion at border posts such as Forbes and support the government’s efforts to develop one-stop border facilities.
“We are engaging partners under the public-private partnership (PPP) model to fund this initiative. It’s a value-for-money business, not just for NHS but for Zimbabwe as a whole,” said Rambakudzibwa.
In addition to its cargo plans, NHS is targeting a five percent growth in passenger and flight operations in 2025, following expansion of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. The company aims to handle up to six million passengers annually.
“The trajectory post-Covid is encouraging, and we anticipate the arrival of more airlines in the country next year. This will further boost our capacity to handle passengers,” Rambakudzibwa noted.
NHS’s ambitious plans for Walvis Bay and beyond align with Zimbabwe’s broader economic objectives, positioning the company as a key player in regional commerce and supporting the government’s vision for economic transformation.
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