Connecting Namibia by rail

Namibia boasts a good road network, providing for seamless transit of road traffic along the trade corridors. The disproportionate use of the roads instead of rail, has created an overburden on the road network, heightening safety concerns for passenger traffic and adding impetus to the need for the wholesale extension of the country’s rail network. The lack of a rail connection to either Botswana or Zambia significantly impacts Namibian ports’ effectiveness in serving landlocked countries and poses a significant challenge to the competitiveness of Namibian ports.Namport is actively engaged with key stakeholders in the government and industry to prioritise the establishment of rail connectivity to the hinterland. This collaboration seeks to emphasise the significance of a reliable rail network in bolstering the competitive edge of Namibian ports compared to other ports in the region.Rail infrastructure has the advantage of handling larger cargo volumes compared to road transport. The absence of rail connections limits the ports’ capacity to handle growing shares of hinterland cargo. It also results in higher transportation costs for cargo owners, making the overall logistics chain less competitive.By advocating for rail infrastructure development, the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport) intends to improve overall port efficiency, reduce transportation costs, and attract a greater share of hinterland cargo.According to Namport, a reliable and efficient rail link to the hinterland is crucial for port efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It is thus imperative to address the lack of rail connectivity to enhance the competitiveness of Namibian ports compared to their Southern African peers.Plans for the development of the Trans-Zambezi and Trans-Kalahari railway networks exist at the Namibian government level, but investment decisions for both projects are still pending. The Trans/Zambezi rail feasibility has been concluded and confirmed possible viability for a rail link, while the Trans-Kalahari rail feasibility assessment is not yet finalised.Source: Namport Integrated Annual Report 2023

Connecting Namibia by rail

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Republikein 2025-04-04

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Connecting Namibia by rail

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