Namibia’s railway operator, TransNamib Holdings Limited, has stated that recent heavy rains across the country have led to washaways in certain sections of the railway network, particularly in the southern and western regions of Namibia.
Abigail Raubenheimer, Manager of Corporate Communications, said civil engineering teams have been deployed immediately to assess and repair the affected areas, working tirelessly to restore operations while ensuring minimal disruption to freight services.
Raubenheimer said TransNamib remains committed to prioritising safety above all else, and no train movement will take place on affected lines until they have been fully inspected and deemed safe for operation.
The line between Arandis and Usakos was re-opened on Saturday afternoon following the quick response by the engineering team to repair the line, but with more rain expected, the situation will continue to be closely monitored, Raubenheimer said.
In response to the rainy season, TransNamib has intensified rail inspections, with increased monitoring of vulnerable areas along the network, she added.
Additionally, TransNamib said train crews have been placed on high alert to detect and report any potential damage to the railway infrastructure, she further said.
Raubenheimer said these proactive measures are part of TransNamib’s commitment to ensuring the safe and reliable movement of goods across Namibia.
The floods come at a time when the government has invested N$300 million into the operations of the railway company to sustain its activities. The company aims to increase the cargo it transports from 1.5 million tonnes annually to 4 million tonnes within the next five years.
TransNamib operates 67 locomotives. Last year, the company signed a N$2.6 billion loan agreement with the Development Bank of Namibia and the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
The loan will go towards purchasing locomotives, multipurpose wagons, and infrastructure development, which includes training employees on the new technology that will accompany the upgrade.
Written for Railways Africa Magazine by Chamwe Kaira
