It is now nearly 10 years since Namibia’s 1st National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP) was approved by Cabinet, giving effect to Namibia’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 and the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation, 1990. The NOCSP provided for a coordinated and integrated national system for dealing with oil spills in Namibian waters and was characterised by willing and effective cooperation between Government and industry. However, the system is no longer sufficient nor sustainable to effectively manage the fast evolving risk profile, which is driven primarily by the growth and significance of the Port of Walvis Bay as a gateway to Southern Africa. One of the effects of our conscious national efforts in positioning Namibia as regional logistics hub is that, more than ever before, more and bigger ships are visiting our ports to carry our imports and exports as well that of neighbouring states. In addition, Namibia is an attractive investment destination for offshore energy exploration and production, which is crucial to our energy security and socio-economic development. Unfortunately, the above economic activities also mean that the risk of a serious marine pollution, not only from oil but also from hazardous and noxious substances (HNS), is greater than before. This threatens our marine resources and the coastline, which - in its entirety - is classified as a national park and is endowed with many biological and socio-economic resources. Therefore, Namibia had to review its marine pollution preparedness and response system in order to make it more responsive to the prevailing risk scenarios and align it to international best practices. This included completely revising the oil-focused NOSCP and renaming it the National Marine Pollution Contingency Plan (NMPCP) which makes provision for HNS in line with the Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to Pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances, 2000. This new National Plan espouses a sustainable funding model while recognising the need to develop and maintain a shared responsibility, and the commitment of all stakeholders in order to provide effective marine pollution prevention, preparedness and response services in Namibia, the region and internationally. In conclusion, I urge all stakeholders involved in marine pollution management to use the renewed strategic focus provided by this new National Plan to reinforce the entire system at ship, port, local, regional and national levels.