Kelp cultivation project in early stages of commercial-scale operations

NAMPA

2024-11-20

LUDERITZ, 15 NOV (NAMPA)-Kelp Blue Seaweed Specialist Michael Fleischman and Kelp Blue Deputy Operations Manager Iriya Jona. (Photo by: Eba Kandovazu)

LÜDERITZ, 20 NOV (NAMPA) - Kelp Blue, a project in Lüderitz facilitated by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), is progressing well and has reached the early stages of commercial-scale operations.
It grows and harvests kelp to enhance marine biodiversity, capture carbon, and create sustainable raw materials. The project cultivates giant kelp forests in the nutrient-rich waters of the Benguela Current.
“This makes the kelp grow very fast, all year round. Kelp Blue considers it the best place in the world to grow kelp,” NIPDB spokesperson Titus Shivute said during a recent media tour.
According to the company’s founder, Daniel Hooft, Kelp Blue is currently conducting trials to secure product registration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform for a bio-stimulant product intended to be used in agriculture as a safe and organic substitute for fertilisers.
With an investment totaling N.dollars 160 million, Kelp Blue has expanded since its pilot phase in 2021 and now employs 92 staff members, 96 per cent of whom are Namibian, with 48 per cent being women.
Hooft told journalists that six per cent of the total budget is allocated to staff training.
He further explained that Kelp Blue’s planting and harvesting of giant kelp forests off the coast helps to increase marine biodiversity and create sustainable input materials for multiple industries.
Kelp Blue operates under an Environmental Clearance Certificate issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in 2021 and renewed in March 2024. The company also has an aquaculture permit from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources which was issued in February 2022.
(NAMPA)
EB/EK/HP/AS

LUDERITZ, 15 NOV (NAMPA)-Kelp Blue Founder, Daniel Hooft. (Photo by: Eba Kandovazu)

Lüderitz NIPDB investment environment

Environment

Okatumba Gate Agricultural Show a success

2025-09-16 09:26:25

Collective efforts needed to curb stock theft: Tjaronda

2025-09-15 14:18:15

DGHV to construct Namibia’s first green hydrogen fertiliser plant

2025-09-13 12:45:25

Okatumba Agricultural Show kicks off

2025-09-12 15:25:36

N.dollars 28 million allocated for food security

2025-09-08 12:14:32

NILALEG launches three projects in Mpungu Constituency

2025-09-07 18:38:34

Mutjimagumwe Woodwork Cooperative boosts Kavango West economy

2025-09-06 16:53:29

Government clears air on precautionary pilchard quota

2025-09-03 16:33:29

Nandi-Ndaitwah urges traditional leaders to protect infrastructure in Omusati

2025-09-02 08:58:08

Ondonga Traditional Authority harvests 11 tonnes of maize

2025-08-29 17:24:34

Namibians urged to adapt to climate change

2025-08-29 13:28:14

Latest NAMPA photos

ONDANGWA, 16 September 2025 - Thirty-two-year-old Tomas Sheya, who is accused of murdering his two children, was denied bail on Tuesday when he made his first court appearance in the Ondangwa Magistrate’s Court. (Photo by: Maria David) NAMPA

NAMPA

WALVIS BAY, 11 September 2025 - Winners of the Namport National School Debating Competition Erongo region who defeated Erongo i Region during the final round of the debate competition which is part of the Maritime week taking place at Walvis Bay. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA

WALVIS BAY, 11 September 2025 - First runner ups of the Namport National School Debating Competition Erongo region who were defeated by winners Omusati Region. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 25 September 2024 - AR Movement leader Job Amupanda defended his party’s robust approach in Parliament (Photo: Andreas Thomas) NAMPA

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 09 September 2025 - Clinical psychologist, Dr Joab Mudzanapabwe speaking during a discussion on enhancing mental health resilience in Windhoek. (Photo by: Edward Tenete) NAMPA

NAMPA

FRANCISTOWN, 09 September 2025 - Namibia’s international Deon Hotto in action at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana, against São Tomé and Príncipe in their FIFA World Cup qualifier the Brave Warriors in their 3-0 win. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA

FRANCISTOWN, 09 September 2025 - Namibia’s international striker Peter Shalulile (R) celebrates a goal at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana, against São Tomé and Príncipe in their FIFA World Cup qualifier. Shalulile netted his first-ever hat-trick for the Brave Warriors in their 3-0 win. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA

FRANCISTOWN, 09 September 2025 - Namibia’s international striker Peter Shalulile while in action at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana, against São Tomé and Príncipe in their International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup qualifier Shalulile netted his first-ever hat-trick for the Brave Warriors in their 3-0 win. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA