Brazil, Namibia celebrate 3 decades of naval cooperation

A special ceremony to mark the re-inauguration of a commemorative memorial, celebrating the completion of the hydrographic survey of Walvis Bay Harbour conducted by the Brazilian Hydrographic Vessel Sirius in 1997, was held Friday morning in Walvis Bay.The survey resulted in the publication of the first nautical chart of Walvis Bay harbour.The memorial plaque was restored to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the naval cooperation agreement between Brazil and Namibia.Speaking at the ceremony, Walvis Bay mayor Trevino Forbes said over the years, the relationship with Brazil has not only strengthened Namibia’s marine capabilities but also enhanced trade capacity, security and cultural exchange."The strategic collaboration in naval affairs has brought technical expertise, shared knowledge and innovative practices, all of which have played a crucial role in bolstering our coast guard and ensuring the safety of our waters," he said. Brazilian ambassador to Namibia, Vivian Sanmartin, said the charting of Walvis Bay harbour by the hydrographic vessel Sirius marked a milestone in the Brazil-Namibia partnership."It is important to ensure its preservation," she said.Honour a legacySanmartin said during a recent visit to Lüderitz, she came across a plaque on Shark Island dedicated to Amir Klink."Mr Klink, a Brazilian sailor who is still alive, was the first man to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a rowing boat. He departed from Lüderitz in June 1984 and, after 100 days, arrived in Camaçari in the state of Bahia. However, over time – nearly 40 years now – the plaque has become almost illegible. So, I believe we should restore it, not only to honour him but to ensure his legacy endures. I leave this suggestion to our navies; we could restore that plaque so future generations may learn about this remarkable Brazilian sailor."Regarding the day's festivities, she added: "Walvis Bay is rapidly developing and expanding. We hope it will become a major maritime and logistics hub for southern Africa. We look forward to welcoming many more ships from Brazil – not only naval vessels but also commercial ones – bringing Brazilian products to Namibia and taking Namibian goods to Brazil. After all, as the late president H. Geingob once said, Brazil and Namibia are neighbours, separated only by the Atlantic."Fruitful partnershipThe naval cooperation agreement, signed on 4 March 1994, provides support from the Brazilian navy for the creation and development of the Namibian navy and has led to various engagements and collaborations between the two countries.Deputy defence and veterans affairs minister Hilma Nicanor explained that when Walvis Bay was reintegrated into Namibia 30 years ago, the Brazilian Frigate Niterói was the first naval ship to enter Namibian waters on 2 March 1994."On that same day, the Brazilian government established a naval mission to Namibia, with the aim of supporting the creation and strengthening of the Namibian maritime wing, which later became a fully-fledged navy in 2004."She said the revised and extended naval agreement in 2001 allowed for 1 179 Namibian military personnel – 90% of the navy staff – to receive training at Brazilian naval institutions over a 10-year period."Since then, new courses and training have been offered annually to the Namibian navy in diverse fields such as cartography, nautical sciences and military strategies."In 2009, Brazil supplied the Namibian navy with the 200-tonne patrol vessel Brendan Simbwaye, as well as two Marlim-class patrol boats, Terrace Bay and Möwe Bay.In the same year, the Brazilian Marines advisory technical team was established in Walvis Bay, providing on-site training that led to the creation of the Namibian Marine Corps in 2016.

Brazil, Namibia celebrate 3 decades of naval cooperation

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-22

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Brazil, Namibia celebrate 3 decades of naval cooperation

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-22

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