Intermodal alternative adds flexibility
ED RICHARDSON
NAMIBIA is investing in rail infrastructure and the
replacement of aging rolling stock in order to bring
down transport logistics costs over the vast distances
that have to be covered through the country and to
some neighbouring states, says Brian Black, former
general manager: marketing and sales of TransNamib
Holdings.
TransNamib is a government-owned, self-funding
parastatal which specialises in the transportation of
bulk and containerised freight for the Namibian and
regional markets.
Its road operation in South Africa covers 600
collection points, all of which link to the company’s
main hubs in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg
with a transhipment station at Upington.
Services include bulk freight for a wide range of
industries, priority freight, overnight express and doorto-
door collection and delivery of containers.
In July 2006, the northern rail link extension
of 246 kilometres from Tsumeb to Ondangwa in
northern Namibia was officially commissioned.
Through these facilities, the company is now in a
position to transport any bulk commodities up to
60km from the Angolan border.
Phase two, involving the remaining 60 km rail
link between Namibia and Angola, is currently under
construction and is expected to be completed before
the end of 2008, says Black.
The rail link, which connects both the port of
Walvis Bay and South Africa to the Angolan border, is
a viable alternative to road over the long distances of
the trans-Cunene corridor, according to Black.
The establishment of a container hub in
Ondangwa means that freight is currently
transported over much shorter distances by road to
Oshikango at the Angolan border, but once phase two
is completed, it will be rail all the way from either the
port of Walvis Bay or Nakop or Upington in SA.
Phase three is the establishment of a rail link
between Ondangwa and Oshakati, the capital of
northern Namibia. It is the biggest town in northern
Namibia.
According to Black, the region offers a number of
opportunities to retailers, building and construction
companies and local manufacturers. All of these need
reliable and cost-effective transport links.
As a multi-modal company, TransNamib also
offers a combination of road and rail, or road-only
services, covering all major towns within Namibia.
It is a combination which is working for the
company. “We have gone from making a loss to
declaring a surplus in the past three years. Last year
we made R22-million operating profit, even though
we continued to invest in the replacement of aging
rolling stock and much-needed rail infrastructure
and equipment. We are also confident that the same
results will be repeated this year,” he says.
Investment in rail makes sense over long distances
10 Apr 2007 - by Staff reporter
0 Comments
Namibia 2007
10 Apr 2007
10 Apr 2007
10 Apr 2007
10 Apr 2007
10 Apr 2007
10 Apr 2007
10 Apr 2007
Border Beat
07 Oct 2024