Desmond van Jaarsveld, the CEO of TransNamib, shared insights into the company’s current initiatives and plans ahead of the upcoming Southern African Railways Association (SARA) conference in August. TransNamib will be represented by a delegation at this important event.
One of the primary focuses for TransNamib is the final stages of securing funding for new rolling stock, a significant milestone for the company. This investment is crucial given the aggressive growth of Namibia’s mining, fuel, and green hydrogen sectors, all of which present vast opportunities for TransNamib. To meet these demands, TransNamib plans to acquire a combination of brand-new locomotives and refurbish some of the older, still-serviceable locomotives.
Van Jaarsveld detailed that the refurbishment efforts will target roughly 6 to 8 locomotives, while the acquisition will include 20 to 25 new locomotives. In addition to locomotives, the procurement will also cover wagons, spares, and components. Spares are a critical part of both the new purchases and the refurbishment processes. Recently, TransNamib held an open day with key suppliers to outline their strategy for the next 24 months and beyond, including the acquisition of approximately 300 wagons, encompassing a variety of asset types like fuel tankers.
Regarding the procurement timeline, TransNamib hopes to begin the process within the next one to two months. This process is governed by the Government Procurement Act, ensuring it is well-controlled and compliant with all regulations.
Desmond van Jaarsveld and his team from TransNamib are looking forward to the SARA conference. They are excited to engage with industry peers, suppliers, and stakeholders, and to discuss the future developments that will drive TransNamib’s growth and success.
