RMS and Namibia

When the RMS returns to St Helena, she will have called at Walvis Bay in Namibia, with HE Governor Hollamby on board, looking at the opportunities coming from the new shipping schedule which is to be released in the next few days, including regular stops at this port.
Earlier today, Deputy to Governor John Styles spoke to Ralph Peters, Station Manager about this new port of call. He was pleased about the call since he said that access is not just about Air Access, but also about maximising the benefits of the ship.

The Deputy to Governor said that one of the main advantages is the short journey of just three days, as this will allow St Helenians to travel to Walvis Bay for a seven day holiday. He said that thanks to the significant efforts of Governor Hollamby, in addition to Walvis Bay, the RMS will also be stopping at Luderitz and people will also be able to travel to Swakopmund which is on the coast near Walvis Bay. John described both places as holiday destinations. John has previously visited Swakopmund.

By including these destinations on the new shipping schedule, John feels that there is now a real prospect for Saint Helenians to have a holiday if they have a two week break.  Having looked at hotel accommodation he said that it can be as low as £17 per person per night. (The new schedule would, for example, provide for a 7 night holiday in Swakopmund as part of 14 days away from the Island.)

The Namibian currency is the Namibian dollar, which is on par with the South African Rand, which can also be used in Namibia.

For the first time this also means that people can travel to the UK and back via a commercial airport within 14 days also as part of a 14 day break away from the Island.

The new shipping schedule provides for the RMS to depart from St Helena, to call at Walvis Bay, then Luderitz, and then Cape Town, and to return to St Helena, calling at Luderitz and Walvis Bay on the way back.

In speaking about the crime rate, the Deputy to Governor said that Swakopmund and Luderitz are relatively safe, and he said that Swakopmund is similar in appearance to Stellenbosch in South Africa.

The Deputy to Governor was also pleased that the new arrangements will mean that people will be able to commence their flights to the UK from Namibia. The new arrangements will also mean more calls of the RMS to St Helena, up from 25 to 33 per annum.

A good size benefit of the change will be the increased number of Ascension shuttles that can be made at Christmas - an important change everyone asked for during consultations last year.

In addition to holidays, John is quite optimistic about new trade and business opportunities, due to closer and more regular contacts with Southern Africa.

South African Commercial Representative, Adam Kossowski is currently in Namibia looking at opportunities for St Helena. He will be reporting back to the St Helena Government on his return to Cape Town.

 Office of the Governor

The Castle

4 February 2004