Wartsila officially opened its new service centre in Walvis Bay, Namibia. The new workshop and branch office, the only such facility for the marine and power plant industries in Namibia, will provide propeller repair and general maintenance services to the area, with typical customers coming from the local fishing industry, local ship repair yards and the offshore industry operating in Angolan waters. 
At the official opening the Mayor of Walvis Bay, Mr Derek James Klazen said, "Development and new employment opportunities are important for Walvis Bay. Wartsila can also be a strong option for future energy needs in Namibia." 
The workshop will initially focus on propeller repairs. The second phase of development in 2009 will engender the requisite facilities for carrying out more complex engine repairs and services for marine and power plant customers. There are four skilled employees at Wartsila in Namibia. 
Speaking at the event, the general manager for Wartsila in South Africa, Mr Teppo Suominen said: "This new workshop is indicative of our ongoing commitment to our customers in southern Africa. Last year we acquired Marine Propeller (Pty) Ltd in Cape Town and in November we officially opened a new engine and propeller workshop, again in Cape Town. With the opening of our facility in Walvis Bay we can now meet the service requirements of the local industry and increase our growth potential in the Angolan offshore business, the up and coming ship repair industry and the shore-based power plant sector in the region." 
A flying squad of service engineers is available to serve customers in the region. This service is supported by a fully equipped mobile container with special propeller repair tools and welding equipment. 
The growing Walvis Bay is currently handling in excess of two million tonnes of cargo annually and is attracting globally operating liners. Its ship repair facilities include a synchrolift capable of lifting 2000t vessels and a floating dock that has been operational for about two years. 
From its facilities at Cape Town, Durban, and now Walvis Bay, Wartsila can provide an array of services for marine and land-based installations over the whole Sub Saharan region, including Madagascar and Mauritius.