GEOxyz has strengthened its long-term commitment to Namibia and Southern Africa with the arrival of its survey vessel, GEO OCEAN VII, at the Port of Walvis Bay.
The vessel completed its voyage from the Port of Ostend in Belgium and was welcomed at the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) in Walvis Bay. Unlike a temporary project mobilisation, GEOxyz says the vessel will be permanently based in Namibia, making it the company’s first vessel to be stationed in the region on a long-term basis.
The GEO OCEAN VII will support a long-term offshore survey programme in Namibian waters while also serving clients and projects across Southern Africa.
Jacques Vancayseele, Commercial Manager for Southern Africa at GEOxyz, described the arrival as an important milestone for the company’s regional expansion. “The arrival of the GEO OCEAN VII in Namibia marks an important milestone in our commitment to Namibia and the wider Southern African region.” He said having a dedicated offshore survey vessel based in Walvis Bay would strengthen local capabilities and enable GEOxyz to support the continued development of the region’s offshore, marine and energy sectors.
The company provides hydrographic, geophysical and shallow geotechnical survey services, as well as geospatial and marine data acquisition for sectors including offshore oil and gas, offshore mining, renewable energy and maritime infrastructure.
GEOxyz said the permanent deployment represents a shift away from the traditional model in which offshore survey vessels are mobilised from overseas for individual projects and then return once the work is completed.
By keeping the GEO OCEAN VII in Namibia year-round, the company intends to provide faster access to specialised survey capabilities while becoming more closely integrated into the local maritime supply chain.
“You cannot properly support a fast-moving offshore market from a hemisphere away,” Vancayseele said. “Namibia’s maritime sector demands permanent, reliable infrastructure on site.” He added that permanently stationing the vessel in Walvis Bay means GEOxyz can become a consistent part of the region’s operational landscape rather than treating Southern Africa as a remote deployment market.
The move comes as Namibia’s offshore energy sector continues to attract international attention following major oil discoveries in the Orange Basin, creating growing demand for specialised marine services to support exploration, engineering, construction and environmental activities.
GEOxyz said the permanent presence of the GEO OCEAN VII will improve its ability to respond to regional project opportunities while supporting local capacity, partnerships and economic opportunities.
The company also acknowledged its commercial, operations, technical, crewing, logistics, quality, health, safety and environmental, and legal teams, together with the vessel’s officers and crew, for their role in safely completing the voyage from Belgium to Namibia. The arrival further strengthens Walvis Bay’s position as a strategic maritime and logistics hub for Southern Africa’s emerging offshore energy industry.
For Namibia, the establishment of a permanently based specialised survey vessel represents another addition to the growing ecosystem of companies and services supporting the country’s ambitions to develop a competitive offshore oil, gas and broader marine economy.
By Rudi Bowe
