Kaleido Logistics and Namibia’s state-owned rail operator TransNamib have started a new freight rail line that connects the port of Walvis Bay to Karibib. The goal is to move bulk cargo from trucks to trains and improve Namibia’s logistics system.
The new Walvis Bay-Karibib rail service began in July, coinciding with the opening of a new Kaleido logistics hub in Karibib. This hub is on the TransNamib rail network and will help with cargo handling, storage, and transfer.
At first, the hub will focus on marble and granite blocks, among other goods, providing a cheaper option than truck transport. The rail service aims to carry about 25,000 tonnes of freight each month, which will replace around 735 truck trips and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 900 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
Xoán Martínez, CEO of Kaleido Logistics, said, “The launch of this rail corridor, along with our new logistics hub in Karibib, is a key step in strengthening our presence in Namibia and developing integrated logistics solutions across African transport routes.”
TransNamib CEO Desmond van Jaarsveld noted that this partnership is part of the company’s plan to make rail the backbone of Namibia’s freight network. This will provide more efficient and sustainable transport and help Namibia become a regional logistics hub.
The rail corridor uses a model that combines rail, ocean freight, and road transport. This allows bulk and containerized cargo to travel through a single logistics system. Kaleido has successfully used similar models in Angola, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique.
