The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs of Namibia has confirmed that a United States nuclear-powered supercarrier is currently transiting off the coast of Namibia within its exclusive economic zone under international maritime law.
The vessel, the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), is operating under the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Ministry spokesperson Petrus Shilumbu confirmed that the carrier has not entered Namibia’s territorial waters and is sailing legally within the exclusive economic zone.
“It should be noted that UNCLOS guarantees freedom of navigation, primarily under Article 87, which establishes that the high seas are open to all states. This includes activities such as fishing, overflight and the laying of cables,” he said.
Shilumbu added that other relevant provisions include innocent passage in territorial seas and transit passage through straits.
He also clarified that a vessel of this class does not require refuelling at Walvis Bay due to its operational capabilities.
The Namibian Ports Authority confirmed it is aware of the vessel’s presence and is awaiting guidance from the Ministry of Works and Transport on how to proceed.
According to the United States Naval Institute, the carrier was deployed at the end of March and is currently operating off the Namibian coast as part of a wider maritime route around Africa.
It is expected to join a growing US naval presence in the Arabian Sea amid heightened activity around the Strait of Hormuz.
The report also noted that the African route allows the carrier and its escort vessels to avoid the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, areas that have seen increased drone and missile activity targeting both military and commercial shipping in 2024 and 2025.
