The International Maritime Organisation introduced strict security measures for all ports, which are also applicable on passenger liner visits, also applicable for Namibia. This

follows the events of 11 September 2001 in the US. NamPort. The port of Walvis Bay has no dedicated passenger terminal, therefore NamPort set up rules also designed to ensure the safety of all visitors and passengers.

No unauthorized personnel or vehicles will be allowed in a secured area demarcated next to a visiting vessel. Another demarcated area close to the secured area will be allocated for authorised tour busses, 4 x 4 pick-ups and taxi’s. No unauthorized vehicles and/or persons are allowed within the secured area.

All tour operators, freelance tour operators, and taxi operators must be in possession of a Namport vehicle entry permit for each vehicle, before entry will be allowed. Namport will only issue vehicle entry permits, if an applicant produces a valid public transportation permit. All drivers of such vehicles must also be in possession of a valid harbour permit.

Informal traders must be in possession of a municipal trading license, before NamPort will issue a harbour-trading license. All informal traders may only use the demarcated area for trading, and are not allowed in the rest of the port areas.

All informal traders, tour operators, freelance tour operators, and taxi operators must at all times follow the instructions of the port security personnel.

The sole and exclusive right to a new Namibian empowerment company to transport tourists at Sossusvlei to the famous sand dunes and back to the parking lot since February 2003 caused a lot of controversy and criticism in the tourism industry. Other tour operators were often charged N$ 90 per vehicle for the short distance.

A tourism company took the matter to the High Court on 16April. Neither the Tender Board nor the ministry of environment and tourism contested the application by the company to have the concession put aside as being beyond the powers of the Tender Board to grant.

The High Court recently gave an interim ruling, in which it overturned the granting of a concession area at Sossusvlei. The contract to provide an exclusive shuttle service in the ‘concession area’ was consequently revoked. In practical terms this means that the former status quo prevails and anybody with an off road vehicle can visit the dunes without having to pay any fees apart from normal park entry fees.